SECTION ON LAW & ETHICS
Director: Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.

Selected Projects: Research and Evaluation (continued)

Improving the Ethics of Consent in Drug Abuse Research: David S. Festinger, Ph.D. This randomized study is examining the effectiveness of two novel informed consent procedures to improve comprehension and information retention among criminally involved, substance-abusing research subjects. In the corrected feedback procedure, participants’ recall of consent information at various intervals is tested and erroneous responses corrected. In the research intermediary procedure, a neutral third party monitors the consent process and intervenes on behalf of participants. The study will examine whether the corrected feedback procedure improves participants’ retention of consent information, and whether the research intermediary reduces implicit or explicit coercion to participate.

Evaluation of the Philadelphia DUI Treatment Court: David S. Festinger, Ph.D. This study funded by the Philadelphia Department of Transportation is examining the operations and effectiveness of the Philadelphia DUI Treatment Court where a drug court model combines judicial oversight with treatment to divert repeat driving-impaired offenders from jail and reduce DUI recidivism.. The effectiveness of the approach is being evaluated through retrospective collection and analysis of process and outcomes data dating from Court inception.