Irb - upset, what should i do...pleaseeeeeeee helpppppppppp!!

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by LadyExecutive, Mar 28, 2012.

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  1. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    For those of you who have been forced to wait for IRB you know how grueling the wait can be. Anyway, I submitted my completed IRB application to my Chair and I believe he submitted it to the IRB committee. It has been well over 30 days, I’ve heard nothing. I contacted my Chair yesterday, he told me to ask my other dissertation committee member. I haven’t heard from her yet. In the interim I emailed the IRB Chair directly asking him for the results of my IRB application. He said he has never seen an application from me. I have been calling my chair and other committee members all day long and emailing as well, and no one has returned my call or my email. What do I do now? What would you do? I was supposed to graduate this term. I am not getting any financial aid, I am paying out of my pocket and my team knows this. I have to drop out!
     
  2. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    How were you planning to graduate in this term if you haven't even received IRB approval yet?

    IRB approval is supposed to come before you gather any data. I can't imagine doing all the data gathering, analysis, and write-up in one term.
     
  3. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Also, I would highly recommend not dropping out at this point. Most schools do not allow you to drop out in the dissertation phase. Doing so may prevent you from earning the degree at a later date. Take out some financial aid if you can.
     
  4. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    StefanM:

    Actually, I am quite capable of amassing a treasure trove of data, analyzing that data, and writing it up in narrative form, in a few weeks, much less one term. I am unemployed and at home all day. I am conducting a rapid ethnographic study inclusive four research participants. I am not worried about my ability to complete the assignment, I am peeved that my IRB application was submitted and the IRB committee never received it.

    Thanks for replying.
     
  5. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    Dropping out of school wouldn't be a choice, it would be my only option. I would love to take out some financial aid but I wouldn't qualify with my credit score. My school has already said that when I drop, I wouldn't be able to simply begin again. Either way, I would never just decide to drop out. The school would not register me owing them money. I've already inquired. They don't care about their students that much!

    Have a great day!
     
  6. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Does your school participate in federal financial aid?

    If so, your credit score is completely irrelevant. As long as you don't have a student loan from a federal program in active default, there really isn't any credit-based assessment for Stafford loans. Grad PLUS loans require a credit check, but grad students have up to $20,500 per year in Stafford loans, and I don't see you exceeding that.
     
  7. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    These kinds of delays are unfortunately part of the process sometimes. Even if you could do all that work in a few weeks, I highly doubt your dissertation committee chair will be as swift with review and suggested revisions. The IRB delay is ridiculous, but even if you get had approval, that wouldn't mean that you would be able to get everything through your committee chair before you submit for defense.
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    There has to be an option. You are too close to give up!
     
  9. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    If you emailed it to him, then go back to the original email and then forward it to him showing that you did email it to him.
     
  10. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Hi Shay,

    I hoped you sent your IRB application by registered mail - that way you know it was delivered and have a good argument against the school if they claim non-receipt.

    Unfortunately I failed to do this with a proposal to a federal agency and they claim non-receipt.

    Did you ever resolve your previous problem with questionnaire (as I recall it) software?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 30, 2012
  11. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    It sounds as though you didn't really submit it to the IRB - just to your chair. My situation is/was almost the opposite. I sent my packet to my chair for his review and he forwarded it on to the IRB! It ended up working out fine but it was not ready for IRB submission (I didn't think). I heard from the IRB about necessary edits within the week. Earlier this week I submitted my revised application and I hope to hear next week. (It is of note that I should hear back soon in part because my study is anonymous and does not include any sensitive data - I submitted it as "exempt.")
     
  12. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    If I receive approval in the next week, which I expect will happen, rest assured that I will finish in time. I have no doubt that I would. Things have drastically changed at my school, and I've spoken with my Chair and he is in full support of me finishing this term. Either way, my issue is with IRB and their failure to review my application.
     
  13. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    Not sure what the option is, but I hope my school feels the same way you do. Right now, even today, I've called, and written the President and she has indicated that she would look into why IRB would miss my application and that if it was an oversight on their part, the school will see what it can do to help me. We'll see...
     
  14. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    Thanks, I did that yesterday. The IRB chair said the dissertation chair was supposed to have sent it directly to him. My Chair says no one told him he had to send it directly to the IRB Campus Chair and that he submitted my IRB application same as he did all the others and there never has been a problem.
     
  15. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    Oh my goodness! Ian, what did you do? I submitted my IRB application with all of its supporting documentation through our online system, in the dropbox. I felt uncomfortable submitting the document that way and had the wherewithal to inquire about the reliability of the 'system.' Just as I suspected, the 'system' according to my IRB chair, sent the application to the central office and not directly to the local school branch. An honest error, I'd say, but why didn't my chair, find out what was taking my IRB application so long to get approval? What's more, one of my dissertation team members is also on the IRB. Since she is apprised of what is going on with my dissertation at every stage, she knows to look out for my IRB application. In-fact, she was the one who always kept me up to date on when I should submit my application. What makes me feel so bad is that no one feels the need to tell me they are sorry for dropping the ball. No one! I'm waiting to finish before I explain to my dissertation team, the department chair, the president, I wasn't going to recommend the school to anyone who asks.

    Regarding the questionnaire, yes, I have been able to resolve the problem. Thanks so much for asking.


    Hope you are well.
     
  16. LadyExecutive

    LadyExecutive Member

    The way the process works at my school is completed IRB applications and all supporting documentation are submitted through the Online System. I had my expedited application, my CITI certificate, and other documents sent through IRB. IRB meets on the third Tuesday of each month. By the end of the first week, students seeking IRB approval are to submit their applications to the Online System Dropbox [which I did]. The first time I submitted my IRB, I did for the same reasons you did; to have my team review it for accuracy. I received a letter back from my chair saying that IRB's were not his area and that I should sent it to my other team members. Again, I did that. I've called and emailed, and have received no response from anyone about my application. I completed my application on my own, and days before the first due date, I submitted it to through the appropriate channels, as I was supposed to. I waited, and waited and waited. If I didn't ask the Chair [IRB] about my IRB application, I would be waiting until wales walked on two feet before I had any word. What this experience taught me is that even though they may say so, no body [referring to faculty and staff] really care. It’s a big mess and I suspect that I won't ever get a 'sorry,' from anyone of them.

    I pray everything goes well with your application. Please keep me up to date on your progress.

    Regards,
     

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