Case context: A federally supported university is forming a new Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review student research protocols. The administration proposes a five-member committee consisting of three biology professors, one chemistry professor, and one physics professor, all of whom are full-time employees of the university.

Question: Based on the official membership criteria for an IRB, identify the specific composition requirements this proposed committee fails to meet, and explain why the committee structure must be diversified.

Sample answer: The proposed committee fails to meet several IRB composition requirements. While it has the minimum of five members, all five are scientists and affiliated with the institution. To meet IRB requirements, the committee must include at least one nonscientist, members of different professions, and at least one person who is unaffiliated with the institution. Diversifying the committee ensures that research protocols are reviewed from diverse perspectives (including ethical, community, and scientific viewpoints) and helps minimize institutional bias.

Key points:

• The committee must contain at least five members.
• The committee must include both scientists and nonscientists.
• The committee must represent different professions.
• At least one member of the committee must be unaffiliated with the institution.

Rubric: To receive full credit, the answer must identify that the proposed committee lacks: 1) a nonscientist, 2) members of different professions, and 3) at least one unaffiliated member. It must also explain that diversity is required to provide multiple viewpoints and reduce institutional bias during protocol reviews.