Case example for Excluding and changing information

Case example for Excluding and changing information

Here are two examples about when it is appropriate to exclude or change research information:

Excluding information

In a study on improving literacy skills, researchers developed a tutoring program at a public library. The researchers want to determine whether the tutoring helps the participants to obtain a job. Since the research is conducted at a public library, however, the researchers are required to offer the program to all individuals regardless of their employment status. Since the researchers are only interested in the effect of this program on unemployed individuals, the information collected from employed individuals is excluded.

Discussion questions

1. Why did the researchers exclude information about employed individuals?

2. What other situations can you think of when it would be appropriate to exclude information collected for research purposes?

3. How would the results be affected if the information from all participants was included?

Changing information

A research assistant is responsible for recruiting families with children ages 12 to 24 months old for a study of language and learning. She is having trouble finding families who are interested in participating. However, she finds a family who are willing to participate with 27 month-old twins. So that she can include the twins in the study, she records their age as 24 months instead of their real age. The twins are enrolled in the study and the Principal Investigator publishes information on the normal development of 24 month olds based on the data collected from these older children. This information is used to affect recommendations for parents on how to stimulate their child’s learning and language development.

Discussion questions

1. How do the research assistant’s actions affect the integrity of the study?

2. What should you do if you are having trouble recruiting participants who meet the study eligibility requirements?

3. Why is it important to adhere to the study eligibility requirements when recruiting participants?

		ORI Curriculum Examples

	Case example for Excluding and changing information Here are two examples about when it is appropriate to exclude or change research information: Excluding information In a study on improving literacy skills, researchers developed a tutoring program at a public library. The researchers want to determine whether the tutoring helps the participants to obtain a job. Since the research is conducted at a public library, however, the researchers are required to offer the program to all individuals regardless of their employment status. Since the researchers are only interested in the effect of this program on unemployed individuals, the information collected from employed individuals is excluded. Discussion questions 1. Why did the researchers exclude information about employed individuals? 2. What other situations can you think of when it would be appropriate to exclude information collected for research purposes? 3. How would the results be affected if the information from all participants was included? Changing information A research assistant is responsible for recruiting families with children ages 12 to 24 months old for a study of language and learning. She is having trouble finding families who are interested in participating. However, she finds a family who are willing to participate with 27 month-old twins. So that she can include the twins in the study, she records their age as 24 months instead of their real age. The twins are enrolled in the study and the Principal Investigator publishes information on the normal development of 24 month olds based on the data collected from these older children. This information is used to affect recommendations for parents on how to stimulate their child’s learning and language development. Discussion questions 1. How do the research assistant’s actions affect the integrity of the study? 2. What should you do if you are having trouble recruiting participants who meet the study eligibility requirements? 3. Why is it important to adhere to the study eligibility requirements when recruiting participants?