Human Subjects Research: Institutional Review Board

 Function and Scope of the Institutional Review Board

PURPOSE

To protect human subjects involved in research conducted by persons affiliated with Wesleyan University. 

If human subjects are involved in research, the IRB  reviews and approves those aspects of research  protocol that may have an impact on the human  subjects of the research, solely for the purpose of  protecting those human subjects.  The need for IRB  approval extends to any manner of research, including  experiments, interviews, surveys, and other data collecting   methods.  This process is designed to protect the rights  and welfare of human participants by ensuring that they  are selected equitably, participating voluntarily, fully  informed of the risks and benefits of the research, and that the research minimizes risks to humans and protects  their privacy and confidentiality. 

The IRB must review and approve externally-sponsored  ongoing projects at least once a year and all projects  involving human subjects whenever changes occur in the research design.

The IRB must be notified of any unanticipated problems  involving risks to subjects or others, including physical  or psychological injury to subjects, improper disclosure of private information, economic loss, or other potentially
harmful occurrences.

SCOPE 

The IRB is responsible for reviewing, either with a full board review or an expedited review, all research involving human subjects conducted by faculty, researchers, students, or staff of Wesleyan University.

Membership of the Institutional Review Board

Coordinator:



 		 Paula Lawson
Associate Provost
Academic Affairs
North College 306
plawson@wesleyan.edu
860/685-2703
 
Chair:



 		 Don Moon
Dean of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Programs
Professor of Government
North College 309
dmoon@wesleyan.edu
860/685-2707
 
Wesleyan Faculty:




 		 Joseph L. Knee           
Professor of Chemistry
Hall-Atwater Labs 024
jknee@wesleyan.edu
860/685-2727
 

Rob Rosenthal
Professor of Sociology
Public Affairs Center 204
rrosenthal@wesleyan.edu
860/685-2943

 

Lisa Dierker

Associate Professor of Psychology

Judd Hall 302

ldierker@wesleyan.edu

860/685-2137
 
Public Members: TBA

Process for Submitting Projects to the Institutional Review Board

1.    Anyone planning research involving human subjects needs to submit  to the IRB (c/o Paula Lawson, Associate Provost, Office of Academic Affairs, Room 306, North College, 237 High Street) the following information.  Electronic submissions are welcome (plawson@wesleyan.edu).

a.    A copy of the research proposal including a summary of the research, a description of the subject    population, and  the  method by which subjects will be recruited. 

        b.    The research protocols (e.g., recruitment letter, poster, ad, etc.).

        c.    The Informed Consent Statement which will be used in the research and an explanation of the method by which informed consent will be obtained. 

                Follow this link for a  Sample Informed Consent Form.

        d.    The process by which subjects will be debriefed, if necessary,  following the study.

        e.    An explanation of how subjects’ privacy will be guaranteed.

        f.     A description of how the data will be stored, for how long, and how and when it will be destroyed, as well as who is responsible for the data during this period.

2.    Schedule of Deadlines:

        a.     Student research should be submitted to the IRB according to the following timetable:

        b.    Faculty, administration and research grants are being reviewed on an as-needed basis--with the stipulation that the full committee can be convened ten days after the material (as outlined above) have been submitted to the IRB.

3.     Principal investigators generally are informed of the status of the proposal within four days following the meeting.  In some cases, clarification, revisions or changes to the protocol  are necessary prior to formal approval.  In such cases, the investigator is sent an email with the recommended revisions and is asked to comply by instituting the changes and the principal investigator is expected to confirm the changes recommended.  A formal letter and/or memorandum of approval is usually mailed by the IRB chair to the principal investigator within a week after the meeting, or when warranted, after the recommended revisions to the protocol have been made. 
 

April 2007