The nurse is preparing to initiate a study on differences in children’s growth rates within a specific community.
Discuss why the IRB does not allow the researcher to provide monetary incentives to the study subjects.
Contribute to the initial post using a minimum of 450 words. You must include at least two scholarly sources, format, and cite according to current APA guidelines.
Follow Netiquette guidelines when participating in the discussion forums.
Initial Discussion Post: Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Growth Studies and the Prohibition of Monetary Incentives
When a nurse researcher prepares to conduct a study involving children’s growth rates in a specific community, they must adhere to strict ethical guidelines designed to protect vulnerable populations. Children, as a research demographic, are classified as a vulnerable group due to their limited capacity to provide informed consent and their dependence on adults for decision-making. Consequently, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a critical role in ensuring that all studies involving children uphold ethical standards, particularly regarding participant recruitment and compensation.
One significant ethical consideration is the use of monetary incentives. IRBs generally do not permit monetary payments to child participants or their families in such studies, primarily to prevent coercion or undue influence. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), undue influence occurs when an offer is so attractive that it could cloud judgment or impair voluntary consent, especially in economically disadvantaged populations (Office for Human Research Protections [OHRP], 2018). If families are offered financial incentives, they may agree to participate not because they believe in the study’s merit or understand its implications, but because they feel financially compelled. This undermines the ethical principle of voluntary participation.
Additionally, offering money can create disparities in participation rates that may skew the study results. For example, families facing economic hardship may be more likely to participate for financial gain, while others may opt out, leading to a sample that does not represent the broader community. This selection bias compromises the integrity and generalizability of the research findings. Ethical research must ensure equity in participant recruitment and maintain scientific validity (Resnik, 2018).
Instead of monetary incentives, IRBs may approve non-coercive tokens of appreciation such as small educational materials, certificates of participation, or contributions to community organizations. These forms of recognition are less likely to unduly influence participation and are considered more ethically appropriate. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that any incentives offered in pediatric research should be minimal and should not serve as the primary motivation for participation (AAP Committee on Pediatric Research, 2016).
Furthermore, involving children in research demands the assent of the child (when developmentally appropriate) and the informed consent of their parent or guardian. This dual-layered consent process underscores the importance of autonomy and protection. Researchers must ensure that both parties understand the study, its risks, and benefits before enrollment.
In summary, while the study of children’s growth rates is vital for public health and pediatric development, ethical standards must be rigorously upheld. Prohibiting monetary incentives protects vulnerable participants from coercion, ensures equitable participation, and upholds the scientific integrity of the research. Nurse researchers must work closely with IRBs to design ethically sound studies that respect the rights and welfare of child participants and their families.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Pediatric Research. (2016). Guidelines for the ethical conduct of studies to evaluate drugs in pediatric populations. Pediatrics, 137(6), e20160223. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-0223
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). (2018). Coercion and undue influence. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/guidance/faq/informed-consent/index.html
Resnik, D. B. (2018). The ethics of research with human subjects: Protecting people, advancing science, promoting trust. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68756-8