Special Considerations for Behavioral Research

WCG IRB reviews behavioral research. Behavioral research is non-clinical research and is oftentimes qualitative rather than quantitative. When submitting behavioral research, provide a detailed protocol, a description of the protections of confidentiality that will be used, and a description of the consent process.  Also, if deception is involved, the submission must also include a description of the information to be withheld, a justification for the non-disclosure, a description of potential psychological or other risks to participant resulting from the deception, and the process for post-study disclosure of the deception and debriefing of the participants, including provisions for psychological counseling or other follow-up which may be needed.