TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions of Challenges Affecting Research Ethics Committees’ Members at Medical and Health Science Colleges in Omani and Jordanian Universities
AU - Al Omari, Omar
AU - Khalaf, Atika
AU - Al Delaimy, Wael
AU - Al Qadire, Mohammad
AU - Khatatbeh, Moawiah M.
AU - Thultheen, Imad
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2021/4/9
Y1 - 2021/4/9
N2 - In recent years there has been an increase in research conducted in the Middle East, with a corresponding increase in the challenges faced by members of the Research Ethics Committees (RECs). This study compares the structures of Omani and Jordanian RECs and investigates the perceptions of the challenges affecting the work of the REC members in Oman and Jordan. A convenience sample of 34 Omani and 66 Jordanian participants from 21 universities was recruited in this cross-sectional study. Almost 70% disagreed that the members of RECs are unqualified, providing comments without justification; half believed that members have limited experience in research, and almost three-quarters that they have different opinions regarding some ethical issues. No significant differences were found between Omani and Jordanian REC members regarding their perception of the challenges, except for the perception that reviewing proposals is a time-consuming task (p = 0.048) and that multi-REC centres are less available (p = 0.026). The regression model showed that there were significantly more male members of Jordanian RECs, and that Jordanian members were less likely to receive formal training. In conclusion, the current structure of RECs and the challenges faced by members need to be re-evaluated by decision makers to improve the overall quality of research activities, and to ensure that current REC members’ practices adhere to international standards.
AB - In recent years there has been an increase in research conducted in the Middle East, with a corresponding increase in the challenges faced by members of the Research Ethics Committees (RECs). This study compares the structures of Omani and Jordanian RECs and investigates the perceptions of the challenges affecting the work of the REC members in Oman and Jordan. A convenience sample of 34 Omani and 66 Jordanian participants from 21 universities was recruited in this cross-sectional study. Almost 70% disagreed that the members of RECs are unqualified, providing comments without justification; half believed that members have limited experience in research, and almost three-quarters that they have different opinions regarding some ethical issues. No significant differences were found between Omani and Jordanian REC members regarding their perception of the challenges, except for the perception that reviewing proposals is a time-consuming task (p = 0.048) and that multi-REC centres are less available (p = 0.026). The regression model showed that there were significantly more male members of Jordanian RECs, and that Jordanian members were less likely to receive formal training. In conclusion, the current structure of RECs and the challenges faced by members need to be re-evaluated by decision makers to improve the overall quality of research activities, and to ensure that current REC members’ practices adhere to international standards.
KW - Ethical challenges
KW - Management issues
KW - Members’ bias
KW - Misconduct
KW - Perceived qualifications
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85104142333&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85104142333&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/019da344-412a-3525-951f-2026652903c7/
U2 - 10.1007/s10805-021-09410-8
DO - 10.1007/s10805-021-09410-8
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85104142333
SN - 1570-1727
VL - 20
SP - 227
EP - 241
JO - Journal of Academic Ethics
JF - Journal of Academic Ethics
IS - 2
ER -