Table 3 Sample questions from the institutional survey for research ethics system
From: Evaluating institutional capacity for research ethics in Africa: a case study from Botswana
Domains | Components | Illustrative questions |
|---|---|---|
Institution | Institutional leadership, plans and policies | Does institution has written policies that clearly state the kinds of research protocols that must be submitted to the IRB? |
Institutional finances | Does the institution set aside financial support for the Office of Research? | |
Formal teaching of research ethics | Does institution offer any type of educational opportunities in research ethics for your students? | |
Human resources | Are there individuals currently on institution's faculty/staff with a significant academic interest in bioethics? | |
Student dissertations or theses policies | Is there an institution-wide requirement that student proposals involving research with human beings discuss any potential ethics issues? | |
External collaborations | Does institution have any significant ongoing external collaboration in research? | |
Office of Research and Development (or equivalent office) | Structure | Does institution have an organizational chart showing where the Office of Research sits in relation to other departments? |
Finances | What approximate percentage of the institution's budget is devoted to research ethics activities? | |
Personnel and resources | Please indicate staff positions and primary activities of the office? | |
Training activities | Is any professional training required for research ethics personnel? | |
Institutional Review Boards – IRB (or Research Ethics Committees) | History and function | When was the present IRB inaugurated? |
Registration | Is the IRB registered with the US Office for Human Research Protection? | |
External collaborations | Does IRB itself have a formal relationship with any external organizations, agencies, institutions, or committees? | |
Volume and type of proposals reviewed | How many research proposals were reviewed by the IRB in the latest year for which you have data? | |
Membership | How many members sit on the IRB? | |
Resources | Does the IRB have a dedicated meeting room to conduct protocol reviews? | |
Training | Does the IRB provide research ethics training for its members? | |
Review practices | Are 'minutes' taken during IRB meetings? | |
National Policies, Laws and Structures | National guidelines | Are there national guidelines addressing the ethical conduct of research with human subjects? |
National laws and regulations | Are there national laws or regulations in the country regarding the ethical conduct of research? | |
National structures | Are there other institutions with IRBs in the country? | |
| Â | National training, development and advocacy | Are there any established accreditation programs related to research ethics in the country? |