The following are research ethics red flags:
- Capella does not permit research that requires FDA oversight and approval. Such research typically involves drugs and devices or may test the efficacy of treatment strategies involving FDA oversight. Such research is generally clinical in nature.
- Capella does not permit research on fetuses or neonates or medical research involving pregnant women. Social and behavioral research targeting pregnant women may be permitted.
- Capella does not permit greater than minimal risk involving children or minors, except when such research presents a significant likelihood of direct benefit to the children involved. Such research must not only contribute meaningfully to the literature in the field, but also be of benefit to participants immediately involved.
- Capella seldom permits research involving animals, as such research requires review and oversight by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee rather than an Institutional Review Board. Exceptions may be considered under very limited circumstances for learners in SBS-Psychology.
- Researchers must obtain permission from the site where the research will be conducted, participants recruited, or data obtained. Several sites may present significant concerns:
- Research involving the military. Researchers intending to conduct research with active duty personnel or military-owned datasets must obtain Department of Defense (DOD) approval. Learners have spent more than a year in the process, only to be denied approval.
- Research involving the VA hospital system. The VA has a robust research review process that often takes many months. Learners have spent more than a year in the process, only to be denied approval.
- Corrections research. Each facility has a distinct permission process and often multiple layers of permission are required. The process varies depending on whether the facility is state or federal and there is often a formal review process. Learners have spent more than a year in the process, only to be denied approval.
- Many organizations have their own IRBs including hospitals and clinics, colleges and universities, major corporations, and federal or state agencies. IRB approval must be obtained from each site involved in the research and from Capella. It may be possible to negotiate an IRB authorization agreement which would allow only one site to review the study; contact Capella's IRB Office! A study that requires navigation of more than 2–3 IRB processes may not be feasible for a dissertation.
Doc. reference: phd_t1_u07s2_h04_redflags.html