While updating my IRB certification, I came across this dandy set of radio options.

This is one of those fields that shows up right before you click ‘submit’ on a form. Usually they are asking you to agree to terms and conditions.

Rather than be a simple checkbox, this field was a set of three of radio buttons. Respondents are required to select one before before submitting.

Each begins with this line: “I attest that I have read and understand the above statement.”

Then the options read like this:

1. I attest that I am the person listed at the top of this page and I assure that I will complete the required ethics course work with the highest degree of integrity and professionalism.
2. I am NOT the person listed above, and would like to confidentially provide information before continuing with the course.
3. I am NOT the person I listed above, and would like to continue with the course. I understand that my activities may be considered fraudulent and that this course will be flagged by the software and my institution will be notified.

What the hey!?

It would seem that the bureaucracy behind this form is very concerned with researchers who ask someone else to complete their renewal for them. To solve this problem, the form gives ghost users an option to come forward and reveal the ethical dilemma in confidence. I like that, in principle.

But then, the form gives users a third, ridiculous option. Because if someone is taking this review for another researcher, they will make sure to note it here so that the results can be flagged appropriately and penalties can be assessed in a timely fashion.

Imagine filling out your tax return and seeing a checkbox that says “I am am cheating on my taxes and would like the IRS to be notified.” If you really are cheating on your taxes, there’s no way you are checking that box.

If anyone has ever selected the IRB renewal’s third choice, it was most likely by accident. And then someone at the researcher’s school has to spend time investigating user error. Seems like a complete waste of time.