Not more than 5 per cent of the total research done in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) seeks approval from the varsity's “Institutional Ethics Review Board (IERB)”. Failing which, the premier varsity is producing all types of research including the ones whose findings might create “disharmony” in the society and may even evoke feelings that are antagonistic to the “national integration”.
Having certificate from IERB which evaluates a research on ethical parameters is not mandatory, moreover, there is a general apprehension among the faculty and students that going to IERB might unduly delay the approval and fate of their research might hang in peril. A JNU official said that IERB evaluates not more than 100 researches in a year while the varsity produces more than 2500 research papers.
IERB board is of diverse nature having experts from various fields onboard. Lawyers and experts from the field of philosophy, literature, life-sciences, social-sciences and others constitute the board. IERB evaluates a research on four basic parameters that includes “originality” of research, its “maleficence”, “beneficence” and “independence”.
A member of IERB board said that the parameter of “maleficence” is to check whether or not there is any malicious purpose or wrong intent behind the research and its findings. While “beneficence” helps in indentifying whether or not a particular research is done with the purpose of benefitting the researcher. The “originality” ensures that only those research works which are not plagiarized or are not just cut, copy and paste should be given certificate of approval, he said.
The parameter of “independence” is to detect whether the research is done under some undue influence or under persuasion or not, the member added.
Recently, the research work of a senior professor on “sensitive” topics like “Muslims in Delhi” and “Tribals in Chhattisgarh” were found inappropriate to get the IERD nod or approval.
JNU Professor Amita Singh, member secretary of IERB said that board approval or certificate should be made mandatory for all the research work in JNU. She said that the board usually evaluates a research within 10-15 days of receiving the proposal and there is no delay. She also rued “shortage of fund” as the main reason behind not inviting experts from outstation in the board.
Another member said that though less than 5 percent of researchers seek IERB certification, many Professors from different schools in JNU and who in normal course doesn't suggest students for IERB certification, didn't hesitate to seek IERB approval if required.
“In many cases, IERB approval is a must and even the teachers who generally discourage students in approaching IERB, seek approval sometimes,” said the member.