RD222 - Annual Report on Human Research - State Fiscal Year 10


Executive Summary:
In SFY 10, the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) human research committee, referred to as the IRB, reviewed seven proposed research projects, one of which involved demonstrations at six separate sites. Five studies qualified for exemption review, and all seven qualified for expedited review. In addition, one ongoing study was approved for continuation.

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.