Who reviews?

Question

Government regulations require that institutional review boards consist of at least five people, including at least one scientist, one non scientist, and one person from outside the institution. Most boards are larger, but many contain just one outsider.

a) Why should review boards contain people who are not scientist?

b) Do you think that one outside member is enough? How would you choose that member? Explain

Answer 1

Many aspects of an organization are more pragmatic than scientific.  Of course, there is a scientific side to every aspect of life.  However, if we consider all knowledge and experience to be on a spectrum, many institutional activities reside on an area of the spectrum which are not dependent on direct scientific applications.

Review boards should include people who are experienced in these non-scientific areas.