To what do these policies apply?
research performed with human subjects by any member of the College community
research performed with any member of the College community as a research subject
Why is adherence to these policies important?
The policies are meant to ensure that the legal rights of participants are maintained. Failure to uphold these rights is both illegal and unethical. Violations can result in the termination of federal funding, including grants obtained from a federal agency for purposes that are in no way related to the violation.
For research done at SVC, what kinds of issues does the board most frequently need to address in an application?
Whether and how the privacy of participants is to be maintained is a frequent question of the IRB. Subjects need to be told if identifying information will be tied to their responses, who will have access to that information, and how the information will be used.
What are the steps toward securing IRB approval to conduct research with human subjects?
Examine requirements for expedited review. Projects qualifying for expedited review do not need to be reviewed by the entire board, allowing for more rapid review. Reviewing these guidelines can help the applicant understand the kinds of issues the board considers when reviewing an application.
Obtain a copy of the SVC IRB Application Form and SVC IRB Application for Survey Research. These forms may be downloaded by right clicking on the link and selecting 'save as'. The applications are in Microsoft Word format.
Complete the application form and include all necessary documentation. Students need to have their faculty advisor review the application and sign it before it may be submitted to the chair of the IRB. Applications need to be received 2 weeks prior to the next scheduled meeting to make the agenda for that meeting, because members need to have sufficient time to carefully review all materials before meeting to discuss the application.
Wait for a response from the IRB. Faculty advisors will receive a courtesy copy of all correspondence from the IRB to a student applicant. If the IRB requires changes, another complete application should be filed (as a resubmission) once the changes are made.
Applicants (and their academic advisors) are notified by letter when their projects are approved. Accompanying that letter is a Compliance Statement which must be completed and returned to the chair of the IRB before data collection may begin.
Supplemental information may be found at Office for Human Research Protections U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/polasur.htm)
What can a researcher do to facilitate a timely review of an application?
complete all checklists and do so accurately.
type responses to items on the application as directed.
include all materials with each copy of the application (including supplementary attachments).
submit the correct number of copies of completed applications. Two complete copies of the SVC IRB Application For Survey/Questionnaire Research or 6 copies of the standard SVC IRB Application Form are required.
For students, be sure your faculty advisor reviews and signs your completed application