87. Dr. Farnsworth is working to get his study approved by the institutional review board of an institution with which he is affiliated. Which of the following aspects of his study will the board be most concerned with?
Answer: B
How Dr. Farnsworth will store and protect participant data
The institutional review board will be most concerned with how Dr. Farnsworth will store and protect participant data, as this pertains directly to the ethical treatment of study participants and their confidentiality.
A) The journals in which Dr. Farnsworth plans to publish the results of the study
This option is not a primary concern for the institutional review board, as their focus is on the ethical considerations of the study rather than the publication venues. While publication ethics are important, they do not directly impact participant safety or data protection.
B) How Dr. Farnsworth will store and protect participant data
This is the correct choice because the institutional review board prioritizes the ethical management of participant data to ensure confidentiality and compliance with regulations. Protecting data is crucial to uphold the rights and privacy of participants involved in the study.
C) The statistical procedures Dr. Farnsworth will use to analyze his study
While the statistical methods are important for the validity of the study's findings, the review board primarily focuses on ethical considerations such as participant safety and data protection. Thus, this option does not address the board's main concerns.
D) Whether Dr. Farnsworth will use research methods like those used in similar previous studies
This aspect may be relevant for assessing the study's design but is not a primary concern of the institutional review board. Their focus is more on ethical implications rather than the methodological alignment with past research.
E) Dr. Farnsworth’s requested budget for completing the study
The budget is typically considered in terms of feasibility but does not relate to the ethical concerns that the institutional review board addresses. Therefore, this option is not aligned with the board's main focus on participant welfare and data security.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct answer is B, as the institutional review board's main focus is on ensuring the ethical treatment of participants, which includes the protection and confidentiality of their data. Other options, while relevant to the study's overall integrity, do not address the board's critical concerns regarding participant safety and ethical compliance.