The Institutional Review Board (IRB) conducts ethics reviews for research that includes human participants. The IRB strives to protect the rights and welfare of human research participants by ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, as well as the high ethical standards set forth in University policy.

How Does an IRB Meeting Run?

1. Every study is assigned to a primary reviewer
2. Riskier studies are assigned a secondary reviewer as well
3. A checklist is followed by the reviewer(s) for analysis
4. Reviewers apply criteria of approval to the study
5. Each study is summarized and issues are brought up
6. Board members vote to approve, abstain, or disapprove studies

Who Comprises an IRB Board?

• At least 5 members
• Varying backgrounds with appropriate representation
• Professional experience to provide scientific/ethical review
• At least one member who is not affiliated with the institution
• One science member whose primary concerns are nonscientific
• One community member whose primary concerns are not scientific