IRB+-+Recruitment+Flyer+Requirements

The North Western University IRB (2015), provides what elements are appropriate for a recruitment flyer meeting IRB requirements.


 * The name of the study and the IRB protocol number
 * A clear statement informing the study is specifically for research purposes, and include the purpose of the study.
 * Compensation should be advertised, yet not be the main focus of the flyer.
 * The name of the affiliated university or research group.
 * Contact information for potential participants to call or email with additional concerns or questions.
 * Qualifications required to participate.

Types of advertising considered inappropriate for a recruitment flyer by IRB standards according to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (2014) includes advertising that can be viewed as intimidating to the public. Advertising that is suggestive in what results may render. The IRB may also review the use of language and possible misleading messages conveyed. The advertisement should not imply a guarantee of a solution, treatment, or a remedy. Wording should be clear the study is solely for investigative purposes.

Virginia Tech IRB (2010), offers insight on the university’s requirements for storing and protecting subject information. For example, there is a designated time period for how long records can be kept once the study is complete, and is accessible at the discretion of the lead scientist if needing to perform additional tasks related to the research. Once the designated time has ended all identifying information of each subject must be erased. If anyone is looking to remove subject records from the premises can do so while ensuring identifiable documentation is protected, maintaining concealment. During the study subject information is only accessible to those approved by the university’s IRB. To further ensure subject privacy research data that can easily be associated to a subject’s identity is not included among stored data. Additional documentation is stored in a separate physical location under lock and key or encrypted and requiring a passcode if electronically preserved. Elements of the study are protected by being stored in separated locations, including data obtained from the research, consent forms, and the key used to decipher study codes (Virginia Tech IRB, 2010).

References

Policy for the Retention, Storage and Transfer of Human Subjects Research Records. (2010, July). Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board. Retrieved from []Recruiting subjects-information sheet: Guidance for Institutional Review

Boards and Clinical Investigators. (2014, June). U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from []

Recruitment materials and guidelines. (2015, March). Northwestern University Research Institutional Review Board. Retrieved from []