Federal law, based on the principles of an individual's rights to privacy and protection of citizens from harm by others, has led to rules about the conditions under which we may do research using human subjects.

Carlow University has convened an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure that each human subject's research is reviewed in advance by responsible, knowledgeable peers to protect these rights. Carlow University is committed to these laws based on moral, ethical, and legal grounds. All research that comes under the aegis of the university must meet the procedures established to ensure the privacy and protection of human subjects. These procedures are followed by faculty in their own research, and by students in any research they conduct regardless of where it is actually conducted.

Procedures

Carlow University's IRB must review and approve all reseach with human subjects before such research can begin. The IRB proposal form, which can be downloaded from this site, must be submitted to Dr. Robert Reed, IRB Chair. His office is located in Antonian 501.

In order for the IRB to act on your proposed research, three copies (one copy if the study is exempt) of the following must be submitted to the IRB chairperson.

1. Your completed Summary of Proposal Form (preferably typed).

2. Your procedures for informing the subjects of their rights and procedures within the study. This may take the form of a cover letter (i.e., used for many anonymous surveys) or a full informed consent document.

3. Any forms, questionnaires, interviews, or other protocol you will require the subjects to complete.

The IRB meets at least three times per year to review Full Review Protocols and to discuss the university's IRB policies and procedures. Exempt and expedited protocols do not generally require full board review and are reviewed promptly (generally within 10 days) by the chair or designate. Contact the chair to learn the status of a submitted protocol.

More Information:

• IRB Regulations
• IRB Proposal
• Informed Consent Information

Cover Letter: When a signed consent is not needed, you may be able to use a cover letter.

• Cover Letter Example

Informed Consent Letter: All potential subjects must be provided with informed consent.

• Informed Consent Letter Example

IRB Members

• Linda Burns, Ph.D.
• Carol Caliendo, N.D.
• Sr. Marie Immaculee Dana, Ph.D.
• Leslie Cummings Gannon, J.D.
• Marjorie Logsdon, Ph.D.
• John Nesgoda, Ph.D.
• Robert A. Reed, Psy.D.
• Susan Rubisch-Gisler, Ph.D.
• Ann Sweet, Ph.D.

Read more about the Institutional Review process by visiting the National Institute of Health's Office of Human Research Protections site: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/