Module 5: Handling Information - Quiz

Module 5: Quiz Questions

1. Which of the following is not an appropriate way to store confidential research information?

   1. Receiving data on a password-protected computer to which research staff only have access.
   2. Storing completed questionnaires in a locked filing cabinet.
   3. Assigning codes to identifiable information and storing the master code list in a separate location from the data.
   4. Leaving completed surveys that include sensitive information with the participant's name and contact information on the desk of the research staff member.

   See Answer

   c. Assigning codes to identifiable information and storing the master code list in a separate location from the data.

2. Why is research information often stored for several years?

   1. Because it is illegal to destroy research information.
   2. Because it may be necessary to prove the authenticity of the information.
   3. So that the researcher can make photocopies to distribute to the other participants.
   4. For liability purposes in the case of a law-suit.

   See Answer

   b. Because it may be necessary to prove the authenticity of the information.

3. Scenario: You are a research assistant in a research study on physical activity. Your responsibilities include collecting paperwork such as attendance sheets from the health educator leading the exercise classes. In your most recent visit to an exercise class, the health educator informs you that she is missing some paper work because she left it at home. You also notice that the class started 10 minutes late. You know this is unprofessional behavior that is reducing the amount of exercise time the participants should receive. What should you do?

   1. As long as the health educator submits the paperwork within the next week there is no need to worry about it and you will wait to see if this health educator starts other classes late as well before stepping in. At this moment no action is necessary from your part.
   2. You talk to the health educator about the importance of starting the class on time and of the risks posed to the privacy of the participants by not having the paperwork stored in a safe location. You ask her to submit the paperwork to you as soon as possible and to make sure all her future classes start on time. Document the conversation and let your program manager know what happened.
   3. Contact others who have positions similar to yours to ask their advice about how best to proceed.
   4. Contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to report your worry and ask what should be done.

   See Answer

   b. You talk to the health educator about the importance of starting the class on time and of the risks posed to the privacy of the participants by not having the paperwork stored in a safe location. You ask her to submit the paperwork to you as soon as possible and to make sure all her future classes start on time. Document the conversation and let your program manager know what happened.

4. It is appropriate to exclude information from the research record when the information does not match the response that the researcher expects.

   1. True
   2. False

   See Answer

   b. False

5. When is it appropriate to change research information?

   1. When the participants provide controversial responses
   2. When it appears that the results will disprove the researcher's hypothesis
   3. When there is a missing response in the research record
   4. It is never acceptable to change research information

   See Answer

   d. It is never acceptable to change research information

6. In a study of the “over 55” population, a researcher recruits a 54-year-old woman, but notes in the research records that she is 56 years old. How does this affect the study results?

   1. This decision will help senior citizens over the age of 55.
   2. This decision will cause misleading and invalid study results.
   3. This decision will not affect the study results in any way.
   4. This decision will help the 54 year-old woman in the study.

   See Answer

   b. This decision will cause misleading and invalid study results.