RD179 - Annual Report on Human Research - State Fiscal Year 09


Executive Summary:
In SFY 09, the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) human research committee, referred to as the IRB, reviewed three proposed research studies. One study qualified for exemption review, and two qualified for expedited review. In addition, one study modified its research protocol to increase participation, and two ongoing studies were completed.

Research involving DSS clients generally involves no risk of physical harm because it is not clinical research but observational studies of human behavior. The potential risk for DSS studies most often involves issues of client privacy and, to a lesser extent, psychological harm (for example, from surveys that include sensitive questions). The IRB has a responsibility to protect client privacy and, more generally, to minimize the risks of research activities to DSS clients.