Ethics and Values Studies supports research and educational projects on ethical and value aspects of the interaction between science, technology and society. Projects examine the social values and mutual obligations and responsibilities that arise in these interactions. This project will produce a handbook and supplementary materials that will provide social science faculty and students with the practical knowledge required to plan the ethical aspects of social and behavioral research, and to obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. These materials will bridge the gap between what is required by federal regulations of human research and what methods texts cover. In particular, the results will provide education and training that new researchers and new IRB members need in order to be effective and meet ethical requirements. The project involves review and revision of a currently drafted handbook. A needs assessment and indepth evaluation by IRB members, social science faculty and their students will ensure that the final product is acceptable and useful to all three constituencies. The project will obtain expert and peer review before the materials are published. This study comes from a very well-qualified researcher who plans to use appropriate undergraduate research assistance. The review and dissemination plans are appropriate; institutional support is very good. The project has important implications for the assurance of quality social science research that meets ethical requirements; also, it provides assistance in future curriculum development. Support is recommended.
