The IRB safeguards the rights and welfare of all human research subjects
Are you engaged in research with human subjects? Don’t forget the IRB!
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that reviews all research that involves human subjects. Its primary purpose is to ensure that human research subjects are protected. This includes protecting the privacy of subjects, respecting the autonomy of subjects, preserving the dignity of subjects, minimizing risks while maximizing benefits to subjects, and providing adequate information for subjects to make informed decisions about their involvement in a research project.
Investigators cannot begin research involving human subjects until a complete application has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by the IRB.
Determining whether your work is research that involves human subjects can be surprisingly complicated and depends on a variety of factors. There are a number of questions to think about as you determine whether you will need IRB approval:
- Does my work involve human subjects? For purposes of IRB review, a "human subject" is defined as "a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains (1) data through interaction or intervention with the individual or (2) identifiable private information." (45.CFR 46.102).
- Is my work research? For purposes of IRB review, "research" is defined as "a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge." (45.CFR 46.102).
- Do you intend to collect information and then present it to a public audience or at a conference?
- Do you intend to publish findings or disseminate information based upon your work?
- Will you be conducting interviews, surveys or focus groups?
- Will you need access to sensitive data or records?
- Is there any way to link the data you plan to collect with identifying information?
- Are you seeking grant funding?
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," your work
may require IRB review.
What are some examples of Human Subjects Research?
Examples of human subjects research include collecting survey data, conducting interviews or focus groups for research purposes, using existing records (such as medical or academic records) for research, collecting biological specimens for research, or engaging in evaluation and assessment activities that involve human subjects interactions (i.e. surveys). Research at the undergraduate or graduate level such as thesis, honors, or seminar projects may also be considered human subjects research and may require review.
What else do I need to know about the IRB process?
For additional information, please visit the
IRB website. Here you will find helpful information about IRB review, IRB application and consent form templates and instructions for submitting your application to the IRB. The goal of the IRB is to support the research of faculty, staff and students. The Chair and members are happy to answer your questions and assist you in the process.