Re: institutional liability for research -Forwarded

[Tyrana2@xxxxxxx]

Lisa, 

I'm not sure whether its a straw man, or in fact, why IRBs would not require 
reports be made. I can tell you that our IRB has standard language that it 
requires for most consent forms for research to the effect that if the 
researcher learns of abuse or neglect of children and elders or dependent 
adults, she or he is required to report such information to the appropriate 
agencies. One reason to include this info in consent forms is that even if a 
participants were to sue, informed consent would strongly imply they they 
agreed to this condition in the context of their consent, and that such would 
protect the institution from, rather than expose it to liability. Depending 
on the situation, this might even be arguably true where the researcher was 
not a mandated reporter, but voluntary instead.

Regards, 

Dan Taube
California School of Professional Psychology--SF Bay Area Campus
Alliant International University
1005 Atlantic Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
510-523-2300 x. 128
dtaube@alliant.edu