Fixing the Problem with IRB

I sent an email about my problems with IRB to Bruce Hanington, Director of the Design Masters program and professor of "Design Research Methods". He is extremely experienced with IRB and is the perfect person to help out.


His response:

I’m troubled by the IRB definition of “Generalizable”, because in strict research terms this would typically refer to findings that can be widely applied to a larger population. As in medical or behavioral studies conducted on a statistically representative group, where the findings can then be “generalized” to the population at large. To cast Generalizable as merely anything that is publicized, is an odd interpretation. For example, I have presented and published many papers that are still essentially case studies, with no indication that the information would be applicable to any other population. I would not suggest these are generalizable, but the IRB definition would. I’m going to find a way to discuss this with them. 

In the meantime, it sounds like your best tactic would be to send in the modification and plead for quick turnaround, particularly if you are in danger of losing any critical time on your thesis.

Thanks, Bruce! Will do.