Does your work require IRB approvals? If Yes, articulate your detailed IRB strategy. If No, explain why you don’t need IRB approval and identify situations when you might need IRB approval. 

Our project does not require IRB approval because:

1. We are working with a vulnerable population
   1. Pregnant women and children in Sierra Leone
2. Identifiable public information
   1. According to the federal regulations, human subjects (pregnant women and children) are living human beings about whom an investigator obtains data through interaction or intervention with these individuals
3. Informed consent 
   1. In our project, we will have interviews with women and children; we will have to explain the purpose of the research to them beforehand, in order for them to understand the purpose of our project 
   2. The interviews are completely voluntary; it will obtain verbal consent 
4. Questionnaires
   1. The questionnaire is split into two sections. The first section is for each mother to get an understanding of her life, her children’s life, and her family’s eating habits, and the second section is split into questions about each of the three recipes and the food that each child tries is dependent on their age.

The only time where we will require IRB approval would be if:

1. Risk of harm in social and behavioral sciences
   1. Invasion of privacy 
      1. Asking if whether or not women have had abortions 
   2. Breach of confidentiality 
   3. Study procedures 
      1. Risks are specific for time, situation and culture 
2. If our study assigns human subjects to study activities based on an undesirable or unflattering physical characteristics as assessed by members of the research team 

Develop an outline for your mid-semester presentations. What supporting evidence will you provide for each point? How will you boost your credibility every step of the way?

1. Introduction to Malnutrition in Sierra Leone/Prevention of Stunting for Children 
   1. Give quick statistic on overall malnutrition in the world
      1. In children and pregnant women, especially in Sierra Leone 
   2. Narrow it down by discussing the issue in Sierra Leone
      1. Statistic on malnutrition in kids and how it leads to stunting
         1. Statistics provide credibility
            1. They also provide a greater understanding of the rates of malnutrition/stunting, diseases and other catastrophes in Sierra Leone 
      2. Talk about factors that cause malnutrition
         1. Lack of nutrient dense foods
         2. Economic, political and geographical barriers in SL that prevent people from receiving sufficient amounts of life necessities 
            1. HIV/AIDS (deadly infectious diseases), malaria in women; high mortality rates; poverty and infrastructure (has kept clinics and medical hospitals from helping the community)
         3. Kids aren’t breastfed – many are given water instead
            1. Causes malnutrition at a very young age 
      3. Talk about how mothers are discouraged from seeking help because they are blamed for the malnutrition in kids and are sometimes shamed for it
         1. Although many mothers are not educated, or have no form of education; some of these mothers have no background on breastfeeding, which is worrisome for the health of their children 
2. Our Approach
   1. Developing nutrient dense foods that fit within the tastes of the community
      1. Muffins
      2. Banana Pudding
      3. Bouillon Cubes
      4. Peanut Butter Recipes
   2. Taste Testing in SL
      1. Have people try our different products and let us know if they like it or not, and give us any other feedback on it
      2. Provide certain explanation on the purpose of our research to children and pregnant women in order for them to further understand our project
         1. We will be provided with a translator 
      3. Taste-testing– For the children, we will observe their facial expression and reaction to each food. For children 18 months and younger, we will rely on behavioral observations and the help of their mothers to gauge whether or not they like each food they try.
   3. Expand on Relationships in SL
      1. Through communication and individual contribution to the community of Makeni 
      2. Employees at World Hope International (WHI) will not be conducting research, but they will help us connect with community health workers (CHWs) and community members. The pre-established relationship will help us build trust with members of the community.
3. Larger Context
   1. Provides work for bakers and vendors
   2. Adds to their economy – purchase of ingredients, new products in their market
   3. Helps to provide vitamins and increase health in children and women through the use of preservatives in the food products
      1. Prevent vitamin deficiencies 
4. What’s Already Been Done
   1. Muffins are completed
   2. Pudding is almost finalized
   3. Relationships with bakers and vendors already established
   4. Research further preservatives to use in muffins and pudding
5. Work Done and Planned this Semester
   1. Done – N/A Yet
   2. Planned
      1. 3-4 new recipes
         1. Puddings and muffins 
      2. Figuring out which preservatives to use
         1. Acid Ascorbate and Soda water to preserve freshness and color in the food products 
         2. Run trials for these preservatives and figure out the packaging for these foods 
      3. Finalizing presentation for the spring (Khanjan’s panel in March)