Question

A researcher asks an IRB to waive the requirement for parental permission for a study conducted in schools because the nature of the research requires participation of all the children present in classrooms on the day the research will take place. Assuming that the basic research design could be approved by the IRB and the school, which of the following requirements must be met before an IRB could waive parental permission? Parents must be notified that the study is taking place. An independent consultant must approve the waiver. The research must pose no more than minimal risk. The students must be offered an optional classroom activity.

Answer 1

Answer: The research must pose no more than minimal risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the four criteria for waiving parental permission is that the research must pose no more than minimal risk. Although it may be appropriate to notify parents that the study is taking place, and many researchers do so, it is not required by the regulations when a waiver of parental permission has been approved. While children must provide assent to participate, depending upon the age of the children there are multiple strategies for accommodating children who do not want to participate other than alternate classroom activities. It is not required that an independent consultant approve waivers of parental permission.

Answer 2

The research must pose no more than minimal risk.