Surveys and questionnaires are common tools in human subjects research. They can be used to collect information about attitudes, behaviors, experiences, opinions, health, demographics, and many other topics.
Surveys may seem relatively simple compared with other research procedures, but the IRB still needs to see their full contents. The questions participants are asked—and how those questions are administered—can affect participant burden, privacy, confidentiality, and risk. Reviewing the survey or questionnaire helps the IRB understand an important part of what participants will actually experience during the study.
Surveys Are Part of the Research Procedure
A survey is not simply an administrative detail. If participants are being asked to complete questions as part of a research study, the questions are part of the study procedures.
For the IRB to evaluate the study appropriately, reviewers need enough information to understand what participants will be asked to do.
This is particularly important when a survey includes questions about sensitive subjects. The participant risk hinges on what the survey is asking them. Questions about sensitive subjects, personal experiences, health information, illegal activities, trauma, finances, or other potentially private information can all increase risk.
The content of the questions can help the IRB evaluate whether additional protections may be appropriate.
The Questions Can Affect Participant Risk
Not every survey presents the same level of risk.
A questionnaire asking participants about their favorite foods may present very different considerations from a questionnaire asking about experiences with domestic violence, substance use, mental health, or workplace discrimination.
The IRB therefore needs to review the actual questions—not simply a statement that participants will “complete a survey.”
Seeing the survey allows reviewers to better understand if the proposed procedures adequately address potential risks.
The IRB Considers Privacy and Confidentiality
Survey design can also raise questions about privacy and confidentiality.
For example, the IRB may need to understand:
- Whether the survey collects names or other identifiers
- Whether email addresses or IP addresses are collected
- Whether responses are anonymous or confidential
- Where survey data will be stored
- Who will have access to the responses
- Whether sensitive information is being collected
- How participant data will be protected
Calling a survey “anonymous” does not automatically make it anonymous. Depending on the platform and study design, technical information or other data may potentially be collected.
Researchers should understand how their chosen survey platform handles data before describing the survey as anonymous or confidential in their IRB application or participant materials.
Survey Length Matters Too
Participant burden is another consideration.
A short questionnaire takes only a few minutes, while a lengthy survey may take an hour or more to complete. The IRB considers the amount of time participants are expected to spend completing the survey and if that burden is reasonable.
Researchers should provide an accurate estimate of survey length. They should also ensure the estimate is consistent across the IRB application, consent materials, and recruitment materials.
Sensitive Questions May Require Additional Consideration
Some research questions may cause participants to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, distressed, or concerned about the consequences of disclosing information.
This does not automatically mean that the questions cannot be asked. Research on sensitive topics can be important and appropriate. However, researchers should identify potential concerns and explain how they will be addressed.
Depending on the study, this could include allowing participants to skip questions, providing information about support resources, explaining how confidentiality will be protected, or using other appropriate safeguards.
Surveys Can Be Part of the Consent Process
For some studies, the survey itself may be connected to how consent is obtained.
For example, some minimal-risk surveys may use a consent statement followed by the participant’s completion of the survey rather than a traditional signed consent form. Typically these fall under a waiver of documentation of consent approved by the IRB.
Keep the Survey Consistent With the IRB Application
For researchers working with Solutions IRB, the IRB application should provide a complete, stand-alone description of the study.
The application should explain what participants will be asked to do. The survey or questionnaire can provide the actual questions or instrument used in the study.
If the researcher changes the survey after IRB approval, the change requires review before the revised survey is used.
Researchers should also make sure that the survey, protocol, consent materials, and recruitment materials remain consistent.
Give the IRB the Information It Needs
Surveys and questionnaires may appear straightforward, but the questions themselves can tell the IRB a great deal about the participant experience.
Providing the IRB with the survey, along with an accurate description of how it will be administered and how the resulting information will be handled, gives reviewers the information they need to evaluate the study appropriately.
Before submitting a survey research study, researchers should ask whether their application clearly explains what participants will be asked, how long participation will take, what information will be collected, and how participant privacy and confidentiality will be protected.
A well-prepared submission gives the IRB a clearer picture of the actual research experience—and helps ensure that participant protections are considered from the beginning.