Blog - Viable Insights

Customizing Your Human Subjects Research: How To Be Ethical AND Effective

Jul 14th, 2025

“It didn’t feel like it was for us.” It wasn’t that we’d done something “wrong,” it’s that we hadn’t done enough. Because while most human subjects research is grounded in good intentions, it’s easy to forget that ethics are lived, not just documented. That was the feedback we heard during the early days of Viable … more »

15 Vulnerable Populations That Are Easy to Overlook

Jun 17th, 2025

In the early 1990s, members of the Havasupai Tribe gave blood samples to researchers from Arizona State University. They believed the samples would be used solely to study diabetes, a major concern within their community. But without their knowledge or consent, the samples were later used to investigate schizophrenia, inbreeding, and ancient migration patterns—topics that … more »

Informed Consent 101: Protecting People, Not Just Checking Boxes

May 14th, 2025

Whether you’re conducting a student survey or a large-scale community evaluation, informed consent is more than a check-the-box requirement. It’s a cornerstone of ethical research and a signal that you respect the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of your participants. Let’s unpack what informed consent really means, why it matters, and how to do it well—especially … more »

How To Handle Participant Complaints + Adverse Events In Research

Apr 1st, 2025

Ethical research isn’t just about designing sound studies and obtaining IRB approval—it’s also about ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of participants throughout the research process. When participants raise concerns or experience adverse events, how researchers respond can make all the difference. Let’s start with some definitions: In a perfect world, researchers wouldn’t have to … more »