IRB review process
It shall be the responsibility of the investigator(s) to submit a completed application for Human Subjects Research to the chair of the IRB. The investigator(s) also must provide an explanation as to why she/he believes the research proposal merits exemption or an expedited review. If the research proposal is from a student, the faculty advisor must certify that she/he believes the proposal is eligible for exemption or expedited review and is in compliance with IRB policies and procedures. For instructions on how to submit an application, see What to Submit to the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
It shall also be the responsibility of the investigator(s) to inform the IRB of any changes to an approved research protocol, unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects termination of the project, or an annual request for renewal, see What to Submit to the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
The Chair of the IRB shall take these actions:
- Review all proposals in accordance with federal, state, and university regulations for the protection of human subjects and determine in which category the proposal best fits.
- As soon as practical, take one of the following steps:
- If the project fits the exempt category, notify investigator(s) that the proposal has been approved and that the project may begin; that it requires modification; or that it has been disapproved. The Chair will inform the IRB at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the action taken.
- If the project fits the Expedited category, request a member of the IRB with a specialization in a discipline related to the area under investigation to assist with an expedited review of the proposal, and then take appropriate action; or
- If the proposal fits the full review category, distribute it to the IRB Committee for discussion and vote at the next committee meeting.
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