What role does the Institutional Review Board (IRB) play in research and why is it important?
Watch this video on Watson and Rayner's "Little Albert" experiment. What ethical issues does this raise?
What might have been the response of the IRB if Watson and Rayner had submitted this research for review?
What role does an IRB have when it comes to research fraud? Why should we be concerned with research fraud? Refer to these two famous examples of research fraud in your response.
You can read about them here:
MMR vaccine and autism: Sensation, refutation, retraction, and fraud
The Retracted autism study an 'elaborate fraud,' British journal finds
Harvard Psychology Researcher Committed Fraud, U.S. Investigation Concludes
https://youtu.be/FMnhyGozLyE
Full Answer Section
Why is the IRB important?
The IRB is important because it helps to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects who participate in research. IRBs review research proposals to ensure that the research is ethical and that the participants are protected from harm.
Ethical issues raised by the Watson and Rayner experiment
The Watson and Rayner experiment raised a number of ethical issues, including:
- Lack of informed consent: Watson and Rayner did not obtain informed consent from Little Albert's parents. Informed consent is the process of providing potential research participants with all of the information they need to make an informed decision about whether or not to participate in the research.
- Psychological harm: The experiment caused Little Albert to develop a fear of white rats. This fear was so severe that it interfered with his daily life.
- Lack of benefit: The experiment did not provide any benefit to Little Albert.
What might have been the response of the IRB if Watson and Rayner had submitted this research for review?
It is very unlikely that the IRB would have approved the Watson and Rayner experiment today. The experiment raised a number of ethical concerns, including the lack of informed consent, the potential for psychological harm, and the lack of benefit.
Role of the IRB in preventing research fraud
The IRB plays an important role in preventing research fraud. IRBs review research proposals to ensure that the research is conducted ethically and that the data is collected and analyzed honestly. IRBs also review progress reports and final reports from researchers to ensure that the research is conducted as planned and that the data is reported accurately.
Why should we be concerned with research fraud?
Research fraud can have a number of negative consequences, including:
- Misleading the scientific community: Research fraud can mislead the scientific community about the results of research. This can lead to other researchers wasting time and resources on research that is based on false data.
- Harming research participants: Research fraud can harm research participants by exposing them to unnecessary risks or by denying them the benefits of the research.
- Undermining public trust in science: Research fraud can undermine public trust in science. This can make it difficult for scientists to obtain funding for their research and can make it difficult for the public to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Famous examples of research fraud
Here are two famous examples of research fraud:
- MMR vaccine and autism: In 1998, Andrew Wakefield published a paper in the journal The Lancet that suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Wakefield's paper was later retracted after it was revealed that he had falsified data and had financial ties to a lawyer who was suing vaccine manufacturers.
- Retracted autism study: In 2011, Mark Blaxland published a paper in the journal Pediatrics that found a link between autism and the use of thimerosal, a preservative that is used in some vaccines. Blaxland's paper was later retracted after it was revealed that he had plagiarized data from other researchers.
These two examples of research fraud show the importance of the IRB review process and the need to be vigilant about preventing research fraud.
Conclusion
The IRB plays an important role in protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects who participate in research. IRBs also play an important role in preventing research fraud. Research fraud can have a number of negative consequences, including misleading the scientific community, harming research participants, and undermining public trust in science.
Sample Answer
Role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that reviews research involving human subjects to protect their rights and welfare. IRBs are required by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all research involving human subjects that is conducted or funded by the FDA. IRBs are also required by many other institutions, such as universities and hospitals, for all research involving human subjects that is conducted at those institutions.
The IRB review process includes a review of the research protocol, informed consent documents, and other relevant materials. The IRB considers the following factors in its review:
- The risks and benefits of the research to the participants.
- The adequacy of the informed consent process.
- The qualifications of the researchers.
- The plans for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the participants.
The IRB may approve the research, require modifications, or disapprove the research.