Read the following research proposal:
Researchers want to learn how eating different diets impacts people's mental health. They plan a study that will provide healthy, nutritious meals to one group while another group is provided a diet composed of processed foods high in fat and calories. Researchers will have participants self-report their mental health throughout the study and counselors will meet with participants to assess their mental health periodically. This study is planned to last for 6 months.
Answer the following questions as if you were a member of an IRB evaluating proposed research. Your answers should be in complete sentences, but there is no length requirement.
a) What questions or clarifications do you have about the METHOD of this study (i.e. how the study is set up)?
b) What questions or clarifications do you have regarding the ETHICS of this study?
c) What are the potential benefits of this research study?
d) What are the potential harms of this research study?
e) Would you approve this study? WHY? (You can answer "yes," "no," or "maybe," but you must explain your answer.)
