A researcher wants to understand the relationship between horror movies and memory in teenagers.

Sample Solution

As a member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), my duty is to protect the research participants and ensure ethical conduct. The proposed study investigating the relationship between horror movies and memory in teenagers raises several concerns that need careful consideration before approval.

Issues with the Research Design:

• Informed Consent: Obtaining informed consent from both teenagers and their guardians is crucial. Adolescents might not fully understand the potential risks of prolonged exposure to horror movies, and parental consent alone might not suffice. Providing detailed information about the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks is essential.
• Prolonged Exposure: Six hours of horror movie viewing constitute a significant amount of time and could overwhelm and traumatize some teenagers. The potential for psychological distress, such as nightmares, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, requires careful consideration.
• Choice and Control: Offering participants a choice of horror movies or the option to stop watching if they feel uncomfortable empowers them and minimizes potential harm.
• Confidentiality and De-identification: Measures to protect participants' identities and ensure data confidentiality are crucial, especially considering the personal nature of the research.
• Potential Bias: The researcher's expectations or personal beliefs about horror movies could influence the study design and data interpretation. Objective measures and blind assessment techniques can help mitigate bias.

Risks to Participants:

• Psychological distress: Prolonged exposure to horror movies can induce fear, anxiety, nightmares, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals. The study should have a plan to identify and address these potential issues, including access to mental health professionals.
• Physical discomfort: The intense nature of horror movies can lead to physical reactions like headaches, nausea, and sleep disturbances. Providing a safe and comfortable environment with opportunities for breaks is essential.
• Ethical implications: Using teenagers as research subjects carries inherent ethical considerations. Exploiting their vulnerability or subjecting them to potentially harmful experiences is unacceptable.

Reducing Risks:

• Shorten the exposure: Reducing the viewing time or number of movies would lessen the potential for negative effects.
• Pre-screening participants: Assessing participants for pre-existing mental health conditions or susceptibility to fear and anxiety can help identify those at higher risk and exclude them from the study.
• Offer breaks and support: Provide breaks throughout the session and ensure access to trained personnel who can address any discomfort or distress experienced by participants.
• Alternative stimuli: Comparing the effects of horror movies to other types of films (comedies, documentaries) can create a control group and provide a more nuanced understanding of the memory effects.
• **Long-term ** Monitoring participants for potential long-term psychological effects is crucial to assess the full impact of the research.

Conclusion:

While the proposed research holds potential value in understanding the relationship between horror movies and memory, the ethical concerns related to prolonged exposure and potential harm to teenagers cannot be ignored. The IRB must carefully assess the risks and benefits, demand modifications to minimize harm, and ensure robust safety protocols are in place before approving the study. Additionally, exploring alternative research designs with less intrusive methods and stronger safeguards for participants should be considered.