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Responsible Conduct in Research: Human Subjects Research | |||||||||||||||||||
UNCW INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) The IRB is a federally-mandated committee charged with protecting the rights of human subjects used in research. Faculty members from a variety of scientific and non-scientific disciplines and a community representative serve on this university committee to review and approve research projects involving human subjects.The Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs (ORSSP) is the administrative office that coordinates the activities of the IRB. UNCW is committeed to the highest ethical standards for research. Researchers who are planning projects with human subjects are strongly encouraged to browse this website and become familiar and comply with IRB policies and procedures. The UNCW IRB provides research and human subjects decision charts to help researchers determine if their projects meet the federal definition of research with human subjects. A project is subject to IRB oversight whether it is funded or not funded. ORSSP will not accept funding for human subjects research from an external agency without documentation of IRB approval.
IRB Contact Information:
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IRB Meeting Schedule and Submission Deadlines The IRB typically meets on a monthly basis to review protocols subject to full committee review. Following is the 2008 - 2009 meeting schedule and submission deadlines. Please note: Minimal risk activities involving populations that are not considered vulnerable are generally not subject to full committee review. The IRB determines the appropriate form of review. The following submission deadlines do not apply to protocols qualifying for expedited review, which are accepted on a continuous basis. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR EXPEDITED REVIEW SUBMISSIONS AS OF AUGUST 2008 - If the researcher wants to begin activities on a certain date, ORSSP must receive the signed hard copy of the protocol form and any supporting documentation at least ten (10) days prior to the start date in order for the IRB to have adequate time to review and approve the project. Researchers anticipating full review must submit their Human Subject Protocol forms by the submission deadline in order to receive IRB review on the desired meeting date. Researchers should plan accordingly to avoid delays.
How long will it take the IRB to review my protocol? This depends on the type of IRB review required. Certain projects can be reviewed by the IRB Chair when they have very low risk to the study participants. When the IRB Chair can conduct the review herself, the turnaround time is within two weeks. ORSSP must receive the signed hard copy of the protocol and any supporting documentation at least ten (10) days prior to the researcher's desired start date to allow adequate time for IRB processing, review and approval. When a protocol must be reviewed by the full IRB, the protocol is placed on the agenda for the next scheduled IRB meeting.
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