data-rich networked information technologies are unique in that they represent people’s lives and activities, bridge multiple dimensions of a person’s life, and are often collected, aggregated, exchanged, and mined without them knowing. We call this data “pervasive data,” and the increased scale, scope, speed, and depth of pervasive data available to researchers require that we confront the ethical frameworks that guide such research activities. Read more
Approximately 80% of the US population has a social media account. Social media can be a powerful research tool for recruiting subjects and for conducting research. As regulatory professionals tasked with protecting research subjects, it’s important to understand the unique risks and benefits of social media use for research.Luckily, at PRIM&R’s 2018 Advancing Ethical Research Conference, there was a session devoted solely to the complex issues related to research on social media. Read more
You are the chairperson of a central IRB overseeing a large phase 3 study. Based on an anonymous call, you determine that one of the investigators is not accepting homeless people who want to enroll in the study. Read more
You are the chairperson of an IRB overseeing a study comparing three diabetes drugs. Some of the study participants have been talking about the study on social media. The investigator believes their posts have affected study enrollment, adherence and retention. How should the investigator deal with study participants who are sharing their study experiences online? Read more
Imagine this scenario: you are a researcher conducting a clinical trial on a promising treatment for a rare but serious heart condition. Unfortunately, you are struggling to locate and enroll enough eligible participants and your study is at risk of not completing. Then you discover a Facebook support group for precisely the condition you are studying. The group is open: you do not need to be invited or to suffer from the condition to become a member—anyone can join. Here are the eligible participants you have been looking for! Read more
