Risks to Participants
Research on health and social issues often involves requesting sensitive information from participants, some of whom may be children. The procedures for collecting and handling such data often do pose risks to the participants. These risks may include some or all of the following:
(Source: http://www.research.psu.edu/policies/research-protections/irb/irb-guideline-1)
- Violation of Privacy: Collection of data concerning at-risk or socially questionable behavior (for example, questions about substance use or sexual activity) is viewed by many individuals as violations of privacy.
- Legal Risks: Data concerning illegal behaviors may place individuals at risk of legal action, if (a) names can be linked to particular responses or observations and (b) the research has not received specific legal protection (e.g., by Certificate of Confidentiality).
- Psychosocial Stress and Related Risks: Procedures that raise sensitive issues may generate stress for participants. For example, questions about at-risk behaviors may cause students to feel stress related to their self-image or contribute to perceived peer pressure.
- Social Relations: Because relevant questions often request information about the behavior, or relations with, family members, peers, or authorities, some procedures may pose a risk to those relations if confidentiality is not adequately safeguarded.
(Source: http://www.research.psu.edu/policies/research-protections/irb/irb-guideline-1)