Quiz
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It's fast and easy! Who should take this quiz? You, if you're inclined to be unquestioning or are just curious. Here's an easy and fun way to learn some facts about research protections. The correct answers will be revealed to you upon completion. You may be surprised!
1. All research conducted in the United States or under the direction of U.S. investigators that involves human subjects, regardless of the source of support, must comply with minimum federal standards for the protection of human subjects.
True False
2. Federal minimum standards for the protection of subjects (known as the Common Rule) include special attention to some of the most vulnerable amongst us (like fetuses, children, pregnant women, and prisoners).
True False
3. Federal protections require full disclosure of investigator and institutional interests (like possible financial gain from stock options or patents) that may compete (conflict) with the interest to protect subjects.
True False
4. Federal protections require that private information that's collected for research purposes and remains traceable back to a subject's name is (1) prohibited from further disclosure without prior consent and (2) must be destroyed after the research is finished.
True False
5. Federal protections require investigators, their institutions, and/or sponsors of research to stand behind (support) subjects who suffer a research-related injury by providing both emergency care and whatever else is reasonable.
True False
6. Federal protections have been perfected over more than twenty years. Resultant protections are both necessary and sufficient to ensure that your interests are fully addressed through the oversight of others. You can sit back in confidence knowing that nothing further need be done by you other than to consent or decline.
True False
7. Federal protections require that investigators must pass an exam that proves they know their protection responsibilities before getting involved in research that includes humans and again at regular intervals thereafter.
True False
8. Federal protections require that particularly high risk research (e.g., death as a known and possible consequence of research procedures) must include an independent monitor to oversee subject participation and report unanticipated problems to specified authorities.
True False
9. The Common Rule requires the federal government to audit and approve the practices of research institutions prior to initiating human research activities and at regular intervals thereafter.
True False
10. Federal requirements for the protection of subjects are minimum standards (honest!). As a result, suitable standards have been developed by the private sector, accreditation bodies, and/or state statutes. These standards ensure compliance with additional requirements (such as for conflicts, confidentiality, and compensation issues) and, in one way or another, apply to all research institutions.
True False

ANSWERS

If you answered "False" to all ten questions, you have a perfect score. Congratulations! If you didn't, don't panic. It only means that, to one extent or another, you have overestimated the completeness and certainty of existing procedural protections. What to do? Get research smart!

The purpose of the quiz is to sensitize those of us who may be too ready to passively rely on protections for us by others. Trust is a natural part of the human condition. However, risk of personal harm from research is borne exclusively by its subjects (that's us). Trust needs to be balanced with prudence. This is particularly true when normal trust relationships (e.g., a family physician) warrant adjustment because of a change from a previous role to that of an investigator.

Whether you got a perfect grade or not, the message is the same - don't assume anything, get involved, and stay alert. Research is a good thing, in the abstract. However, verify to your satisfaction that (1) proper processes and commitments are in place, (2) suitable justification exists in support of proposed research, (3) you know the true risks and benefits (and to whom), (4) reasonable precautions and safeguards are in place to minimize risk, (5) competing motivations are disclosed, and (6) those who ask for your support will be there to support you if something goes wrong.

Click here for the basics.

(10-05-06)
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