Behind the scenes of research ethics committee oversight: a qualitative research study with committee chairs in the Middle East and North Africa region.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Research cites shortcomings and challenges facing research ethics committees in many regions across the world including Arab countries. This paper presents findings from qualitative in-depth interviews with research ethics committee (REC) chairs to explore their views on the challenges they face in their work with the oversight of research involving human populations.

Methods

Virtual in-depth interviews were conducted with chairs (n = 11) from both biomedical and/or social-behavioral research ethics committees in six countries, transcribed, coded and subject to thematic analysis for recurring themes.

Results

Two sets of recurring themes impede the work of the committees and pose concerns for the quality of the research applications: (1) procedures and commi

SUBMITTER: Ashkar CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11308332 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature