The risks associated with social, behavioral, and educational research (SBER) are often subjective, unpredictable, and hard-to-identify. Even the most experienced reviewers struggle with quantifying potential harms associated with SBER. On March 20, 2019, PRIM&R hosted a webinar, Assessing and Mitigating Risk in SBER. Presented by Amy Ben-Arieh, JD, MPH and Lara Sloboda, PhD, this webinar helped attendees understand risk as defined in the regulations and as applied to SBER; implement strategies for mitigating risk in SBER; and appreciate the complex nature of risk assessment and mitigation in SBER. Read more
TAG ARCHIVES FOR confidentiality

Despite their significant importance in society and communities, there is a scarcity of research on the undocumented immigrant population. In addition, only a handful of studies address the social and emotional concerns of undocumented immigrants and students. At AER18, panelists Gene Gloeckner, PhD; Elizabeth Jach, MA; and Colleen Kohashi, MA, CIP, presented ways to ethically and sensitively conduct research with undocumented immigrants. Read more

Sophisticated sensor technologies have become increasingly prevalent in people’s everyday lives, and can now respond to voice commands, detect sleep patterns, and track physical activity These smart sensors have immense potential to improve individuals’ health and wellness, as photographic images, videos, sounds, vibrations, and light all become data for detecting human behavior. Read more

In April, the EPA published a proposed rule titled, Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science. The rule would prohibit the EPA from basing regulatory action on scientific studies for which the underlying raw data and models are not publicly available “in a manner sufficient for validation and analysis.” The due date for comments on this rule is August 16. As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the highest ethical standards in the conduct of research that advances human health and well-being, PRIM&R decided it was important to comment on this proposed rule, detailing two main concerns. First, we believe that the proposed rule arbitrarily restricts access to and use of rigorous, peer-reviewed science in environmental policymaking, to the detriment of the public’s health and trust in the regulatory process. Second, we argue that the proposed rule fails to respect the contributions of human research participants. We urge EPA to withdraw this misguided rule immediately. Read more

Among scientists in the field of education, there are many who believe that all educational research, regardless of purpose, should be exempt from IRB processes and procedures. While the government did not approve education as a new category of excused research under the new proposed Common Rule that is currently slated to take effect in January 2018, there remain many areas of consideration that might be affected, including confidentiality, authentication of online participants, consent and assent, and questions around what constitutes research when conducting data collection activities in school settings. Read more