Stephens J. D, Yager, A. M, & Allen J. (2017). Smartphone technology and text messaging for weight loss in young adults (Links to an external site.): A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 32(1), 3946. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000000307 (Links to an external site.)
1. Was the study approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board, Research Ethics Board, or other similar ethics review committee?
Were study participants subjected to any physical harm, discomfort, or psychological distress? Did the researchers take appropriate steps to remove or prevent harm?
Did the benefits to participants outweigh any potential risks or actual discomfort they experienced? Did the benefits to society outweigh the costs to participants?
Was any type of coercion or undue influence used to recruit participants? Did they have the right to refuse to participate or to withdraw without penalty?
Were participants deceived in any way? Were they fully aware of participating in a study, and did they understand the purpose and nature of the research?
Were appropriate informed consent procedures used with all participants? If not, were the reasons valid and justifiable?
Were adequate steps taken to safeguard participants privacy? How was confidentiality maintained? Was a Certificate of Confidentiality obtainedand, if not, should one have been obtained?
Were vulnerable groups involved in the research? If yes, were special precautions instituted because of their vulnerable status?
Were groups omitted from the inquiry without a justifiable rationale, such as women (or men) or minorities?
