Conducting ethical research with correctional populations: Do researchers and IRB members know the federal regulations?

The Institute of Medicine (2006) identified the importance and value of research with correctional populations and emphasized the need for rigorous and constant oversight of such research. Conducting or overseeing research in correctional settings requires knowledge of the specific rules and regulations developed by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) to ensure the protection of these vulnerable participants. To obtain data on the extent to which this knowledge has been acquired by relevant groups, we conducted a national survey of 771 HIV/AIDS researchers and IRB members. Using a 10-item knowledge survey, results revealed significant differences between five groups of participants: IRB prisoner representatives (M = 5.68, SD = 1.76); IRB members and chairs who have reviewed HIV/AIDS correctional protocols (M = 5.05, SD = 1.65); researchers who have conducted HIV/AIDS studies in correctional settings (M = 4.76, SD = 1.81); IRB members and chairs who have reviewed non-correctional HIV/AIDS protocols (M = 4.45, SD = 1.91); and researchers who have conducted non-correctional HIV/AIDS studies (M = 3.78, SD = 2.05), F (4, 767) = 13.43, p < .001. These results indicate that the groups most in need of the knowledge do indeed have the highest levels. However, even for these groups, the scores emphasize the need for training in the OHRP guidelines for the conduct of research with incarcerated people. Further, individuals embarking on research with correctional populations need to acquire this specialized knowledge as it seems not to be part of general research ethics knowledge.