Case Study 2

The investigators analyzed the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and the effect on interpersonal relationships in adulthood. Thirty participants incarcerated in a Midwestern United States correctional facility were chosen using random sampling. Individuals were given the opportunity to decline participation in the study. Individuals who chose to participate signed a consent form. A detailed questionnaire was given addressing personal demographic data (e.g. age, sex, race, education level), type of trauma experienced, and interpersonal relationship behaviors. Interviewers administered the questionnaire in a face-to-face interview.

1) Analyze and discuss the risks and potential benefits of the research study based on the content criteria listed below in the grading criteria (be sure to address the risks/benefits for the researcher, participant, and society in depth).

Risk and Benefits for Researcher

The first benefit to the researcher is that the interview is face to face which helps the interviewer identify the personality of the inmates through body language which is not possible via phone interviews. Also, some inmates might be able to open up and share more accurate information if they can perceive that the interviewer is friendly and trustworthy.

Risk to Researcher

Firstly, prisons are highly regulated environments where movement and activities are highly monitored. It takes time for researchers to get access to a prison and prisoners. Also, the Department of Health and Human Services regulations consider prisoners along with children and pregnant women as a vulnerable population for research purposes (National Institute of Justice, 2012). There are additional protections for prisoners and it is required by the state that inmate participation does not affect correctional programming decisions. More so, some inmates might be introverts and will find it difficult to open up to the researcher thus, holding back valuable information that could benefit the research.

Risk and Benefits for participant

Benefits

On the part of the inmates, having a face to face interview enables them to open up and share information confidentially especially if they can see that the researcher is friendly and trustworthy. The National Institute of Justice recommends that inmates be interviewed privately, without the presence of Correctional officers or other inmates, to ensure privacy and reassure the inmates that their information will not be reported to the Department of Corrections or third parties (National Institute of Justice, 2012). More so, prison life can be monotonous and an interview with an inmate can be a fun activity to participate in especially if they are in solitary confinement.

Risk to participant

Prisoners might only partake in the interview because they are locked up and as a means to get off their monotonous prison schedule. Also, some inmates might be introverts and will find it difficult to open up to the researcher thus, holding back valuable information that could benefit the research. More so, some inmates might be too nervous to discuss traumatic experiences in childhood and thus might hold back information or give false information.

2) What level of IRB review is needed? Why? Discuss your rationale.

The level of IRB review needed is full board review which is required for research that involves protected populations such as prisoners or children. This review undergoes board review and takes time to complete. Because the research is targeted towards prisoners, it is considered as having greater than minimal risk. The research also focuses on childhood trauma which is considered potentially stressful and traumatic for participants to recount and thus requires full IRB approval.

 

References:

National Institute of Justice, “Challenges of Conducting Research in Prisons,” March 25, 2012, nij.ojp.gov: https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/challenges-conducting-research-prisons

Levels of IRB review. (n.d.). Office for the Protection of Research Subjects | USC. https://oprs.usc.edu/irb-review/types-of-irb-review/