A researcher submits an IRB proposal to evaluate a new after-school online tutoring program for middle-school students in a local school district. She plans to conduct the assessment at the school her children attend because she is familiar with the district, and students may use their personal smartphones or computers to participate. This scenario might violate which Belmont principle?

A researcher submits an IRB proposal to evaluate a new after-school online tutoring program for middle-school students in a local school district. She plans to conduct the assessment at the school her children attend because she is familiar with the district, and students may use their personal smartphones or computers to participate. This scenario might violate which Belmont principle?

• A. Respect for persons
• B. Beneficence
• C. Justice
• D. Privacy

Answer: (C)

Justice concerns arise when who is invited to participate and who bears the research burdens isn’t fair or truly voluntary. In this scenario, the researcher wants to run the study in a school district where her own children go, which creates a real risk of biased recruitment and undue influence. Families in that district may feel pressured to participate or may be more likely to participate because of the researcher’s involvement or familiarity with the school, rather than through fair, independent selection methods. That undermines equitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of the research and may exclude or undervalue other groups who could benefit from the program. The setup raises fairness issues about who is included and who isn’t, which is the core concern of Justice. (Privacy and autonomy are important too, but the primary Belmont principle at issue here is fair subject selection and equity.)

Justice concerns arise when who is invited to participate and who bears the research burdens isn’t fair or truly voluntary. In this scenario, the researcher wants to run the study in a school district where her own children go, which creates a real risk of biased recruitment and undue influence. Families in that district may feel pressured to participate or may be more likely to participate because of the researcher’s involvement or familiarity with the school, rather than through fair, independent selection methods. That undermines equitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of the research and may exclude or undervalue other groups who could benefit from the program. The setup raises fairness issues about who is included and who isn’t, which is the core concern of Justice. (Privacy and autonomy are important too, but the primary Belmont principle at issue here is fair subject selection and equity.)