What is IRB and what is its role in making your research better?
Amid growing concerns about ethics violations in research, the National Research Act of 1974 was passed by Congress, creating the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. The commission’s Belmont Report summarized the ethical principles that are the foundation of good research with human subjects. Respect for persons reminds us to respect the autonomy of human subjects and protect those who may be vulnerable such as children and prisoners. Beneficence guides us to maximize benefit to human subjects while minimizing risk. And Justice leads us to assign both the burdens and the benefits of research evenly.
At its core, this is the role of the Institutional Review Board: to ensure that these principles are in force in your research plans (for new applications) and in your active research (for amendments and scheduled continuing review). It helps to keep these principles in mind as you prepare your IRB application since they are topmost in the minds of IRB board members.
The ISR IRB Guidance Committee was formed to serve as a frontline resource for ISR faculty and staff navigating the IRB process. We have created this website to provide the most useful links for you, especially if you are new to the process. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please start by contacting the ISR IRB Committee, starting with Amanda Sonnega ([email protected]).
We will not be able to answer every question, however, and you should always feel free to contact the staff of the IRB-Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences to answer your questions and help you navigate the application process.
If you have suggestions for this website, please contact Amanda Sonnega ([email protected]).