Dr. Carolyn M. Byerly
Professor
Department of Journalism
 Research
using human subjects requires their
“informed consent,” which involves:
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Prior approval by IRB for the research,
Use of ethical methods in the gathering of data
Obtaining each participant’s signature on a
consent form that has the “approved” stamp and
date from IRB
Passing the CITI online certification (required for
researchers)
 It
is a source of first-person data in research
that seeks subjective knowledge
 It is the oldest, most original way of
gathering data,
 It involves the researcher in a more personal
way than “objective” approaches (which
separate the “knower from the known”), and
 It is interactional by nature.
Interactional = an exchange between
interviewer and human participant in a
question-answer format.
Interaction can be achieved through traditional
survey method (use of a form that is
completed),
Online data gathering, or
In a face-to-face interview.
A
qualitative
 interactional method of data gathering
 in which a trained researcher
 uses questions to obtain information
 for a specific purpose
 from human participants
 In face-to-face (or mediated)
communication.
 Human
experience matters in the search for
truth
 Knowledge is always personal
 The “personal” is always original and
authentic
 The “person” is a source of useful data that
will open his or her world and experience in
it
 Interviews
are a gift – be appreciative
 Use your power wisely – interviews are not an
“equal” relationship
 Listen carefully and clarify when necessary
 Record everything you learn accurately
 Be respectful toward participants
 Stay within the purpose of the interview
 Stay within the bounds of approval by IRB.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is the purpose of the IRB process?
How do you apply?
What do you do if you have to change
something in your methodology after you
receive approval?
What kinds of things are in the “consent
form” that participants sign?
What is the Collaborative Institutional
Training Initiative (CITI) certification?
The training requirement applies to anyone
conducting human subjects research activities
at Howard. This means anyone working directly
with human participants or with identifiable
data or biological specimens for research
purposes under Howard University auspices.
Investigators, research nurses, coordinators,
students, technicians working with identifiable
data, and faculty advisors would all need to
obtain CITI certification.
http://www.howard.edu/research/compliance/irb/training.html
 Is
found online at
www.citiprogram.org/Default.asp?
 Sociobehavioral
researchers should take the
social science course (among those offered)
 Certification
is good for two years for
Howard personnel and students
 Keep
the electronic copy of your certificate
(which is required with IRB paperwork).
 Know
who needs to sign off on application
 Write a clear, well-organized application
 Submit it to IRB at least a month before you
plan to start work
 Do not begin interviewing till you get
approval
FORMS ON LINE AT IRB WEBSITE.
ELEMENTS REQUIRED:

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Face page (signatures)
Purpose + significance
Timeline for work
Personnel (PI + others)
Method + procedures
Population to be sampled
Selection of participants
Risks & benefits to participants
Consent form (*no header or footer)
 You


must submit a letter to IRB if you:
Add or change personnel
Change the research procedures
 You
must receive approval for these changes.
Also remember:
You must submit a close-out report.
Always observe the steps associated with
“proper interview etiquette”
 Set
appointment in advance
 Clarify purpose of interview
 Specify amount of time needed
 Answer participant questions about project
 Be on time
 Be friendly but professional
A.
“Interview schedule” is a researchers’ term for
questionnaire.
B.
An interview schedule contains the questions
that the researcher will ask participants in the
study.
C.
The research schedule is well-organized, and
D.
May utilize several kinds of questions.

Loosely structured (dialogue, open-ended):
Q. What makes a good news program?

Semi-structured (directed open-ended)
Q. Which of the major news programs do you watch?

Structured (closed-ended)
Q. Which of the following radio stations to you listen to?
[list]

Some combination of the above (most are this)
Separate the questionnaire into

Basic participant data (often best at end)

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Gender, race, age, education, etc.
Substantive questions

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Personal experiences
Opinions
Expert knowledge
 Closed-ended
questions have limited
selection of choices, e.g.:

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

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Please indicate your annual income:

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Yes____ No ____
___ Over $100,000
___ $75,000-100,000
___ $50-000-$75,000
___ $25,000-$50,000
___ Less than $25,000
Do you consider yourself:
a) Liberal b) Conservative c) Neither of these.
Question: Why do you believe so few African
Americans own radio and television stations?


Probe 1: Is access to funds a possibility?
Probe 2: Do you imagine most understand the
application process?
 Level

Thanks so much for coming, especially on such a
cold day. Did you have far to drive?
 Level

2: requires trust
I know you lost your broadcast license in 1999.
Can you tell me more about the situation?
 Level

1: safe exchanges
3: involves full disclosure
How has loss of your business affected your life
and career?
 Keep

Use probes or gentle reminders to bring
participant back to the subject
 Let

participants skip questions or end early
This is an IRB requirement
 Keep

the interview on track
clear, accurate records
This protects you and your human subjects.
Problem 1:
More and more young professionals are using
social media in their job searches, but you
want to explore how HBCU students are
doing this.
QUESTION: What is the best way for you to
gather this information:



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Face-to-face interviews?
Survey monkey questionnaire?
Focus groups?
Something else?
Problem 2:
Women’s health networks use public awareness
campaigns to encourage women over 40 to get
regular breast exams for early detection of
breast cancer. Your professor has just hired you
to help conduct interviews with middle-aged
women to learn whether they pay attention to
prevention messages. You are still feeling sad
over losing your grandmother to cancer.
QUESTION: How might you handle this situation so
you can be effective in this research?
Problem 3:
Until recently, there has been widespread
disapproval of same-sex marriage by many
African Americans. You want to learn more
about how this disapproval has affected the
self-image of young gays and lesbians in the
Black community. You know quite a few
people in this demographic.
QUESTION: Is it ethical for you to include
them in your study?
Dr. Carolyn M.
Byerly
cbyerly@howard.edu
240-821-2859