Certification for IRB Professionals (CIP) Practice Exam

In a case where a therapist is also a doctoral candidate using data for research, what must be considered about parental permission?

1. Parents have the right to refuse participation

2. Parents might feel pressured to consent for their children's data

3. Parents can request to see the research outcomes

4. Parental consent is not needed for educational purposes

The correct answer is: Parents might feel pressured to consent for their children's data

The focus on parental permission in research involving minors is critical, particularly in situations where there may be a dual role, such as a therapist who is also a doctoral candidate. In this case, option B emphasizes the concern that parents might feel pressured to consent for their children's participation in research. This is significant because the power dynamics inherent in the therapist-client relationship can lead to parents feeling obligated to agree to their child's participation, potentially compromising the voluntary nature of consent. When a therapist is also conducting research, there is an ethical obligation to ensure that consent is truly informed and voluntary. If parents perceive that their child's treatment or relationship with the therapist may be affected by their decision regarding participation in the study, they may not feel free to refuse. This can create an ethical dilemma and raise questions about whether the consent given is genuinely informed and free from undue influence. In contrast to this, the other options do not directly address the ethical implications of potential coercion or perceived pressure that parents might face. While it’s true that parents have rights regarding participation and outcomes, and that consent might not be necessary in purely educational settings, the crux of the issue here revolves around the subtle pressures that may arise due to the therapist's dual role. Thus, recognizing and addressing these