Andy Newman, ITF, Brooklyn College

What is the IRB?  An IRB (Institutional Review Board for human participants) is a group of at least five individuals with varying backgrounds to promote complete and adequate review of research studies. An IRB conducts the initial and annual reviews of a research study.

What is a human participant?  A human participant is a living individual about whom a researcher obtains data through intervention or interaction (interviews) with the individual, or through identifiable private information (data with identifiers).

What/who is at “risk” in interviews?  Research participants may be exposed to physical, psychological social and economic risks.  What types of risk could come up in your research projects?

What/who is at “risk” in interviews?  Legal risks? (immigration status, criminal records, etc.)

What/who is at “risk” in interviews?  Legal risks? (immigration status, criminal records, etc.)  Moral/ethical risk? (embarrassment, psychological discomfort, etc.)

What/who is at “risk” in interviews?  You may be at risk! These individuals are strangers, so:  Be wary of accepting invitations to visit participants at home (go in groups of two or more.)  Arrange interviews in public places (coffee shops are always a good bet.)

Protecting your research participants: key terms  Anonymity means the researcher has no record of the identity of the participants.  Confidentiality means the researcher knows the identity of the participants but will keep the participants' identity and all identifying characteristics confidential.

Guarding confidentiality on a web-based project  Use pseudonyms for your research subjects.  Use pseudonyms for living people who your research subject describes.  EXCEPTION: public figures (i.e. politicians and celebrities can be named.)  DO include biographical details.  DON’T name names or use information that could compromise your participants’ privacy.

Interviewing 101  Be polite and gracious (these people are volunteering their time to help with you with your class project!).  Be appreciative in your words and actions.  Don’t forget: you are representing Brooklyn College (and MHC!) to the community in this situation.

Interviewing 101  Ask permission to record, photograph, and video (Do not secretly record or otherwise deceive your research participants!)  Be open about what you are researching, what you want to know, and why you are doing the project. You should have nothing to hide from your participants.

Interviewing 101  DO arrive prepared with a list of questions.  DON’T be afraid to be spontaneous or let interviews digress. The best answers are often to the questions you didn’t know you should ask!  Ask for examples and details.  Don’t assume you know the history (even if you think you do): always get their stories on how it was for them.