Student News B.I.T.S.

IRB Explainer

By Dr. Susan Pettine, PG IRB Chair and School of Business Professor

Purdue University Global’s (PG) Institutional Review Board (IRB)

So, what is an IRB?

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that reviews all research that directly, or indirectly, involves human subjects in order to ensure that the rights of the participants are protected, that the human subjects are not subject to unreasonable harm (physical and/or emotional), and that data and/or information about them is kept confidential.

There are three general ethical principles that should govern research involving human subjects:

• Respect for persons involves a recognition of the personal dignity and autonomy of individuals, and special protection of those persons with diminished autonomy.

• Beneficence entails an obligation to protect persons from harm by maximizing anticipated benefits and minimizing possible risks of harm.

• Justice requires that the benefits and burdens of research be distributed fairly

The US Department of Health & Human Services oversees IRB’s as follows:

• Membership

• Human Subject Protection Regulations

• Criteria for review

• Regulations for record keeping

• Requirements for registration

So, how do I know if I need to submit to the IRB?

If your class research project involves human subject participants, you must consult your instructor and look to submit to the IRB for a review.  Please keep in mind that you must meet the following foundational criteria:

• The term “research” refers to a systematic investigation that includes research development and testing/evaluation, that is designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.   The intent would be to publish this research study.

The definition of Human Subjects covers:

• A living individual about whom a researcher (faculty, staff, or student) conducting research
  obtains the following:

·        Data, through intervention or interaction, with the individual, or 

·        Identifiable private information. 

·        This can include surveys, observations, interviews, and even review of existing data that involved human subjects at one point previously.

And what is the PG IRB Online Submission Process?  First, you must work with your instructor to determine if your proposed research meets the criteria for an IRB review (as a reminder, this would be:  The term “research” refers to a systematic investigation that includes research development and testing/evaluation, that is designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.   The intent would be to publish this research study.)  Second, if you need additional information after consulting with your instructor, you may reach out to the PG IRB at pgirb@purdueglobal.edu .

• All faculty, staff, and students at PG may access the online submission site here:

https://sites.google.com/purdueglobal.edu/purdueuniversityglobalirb/home

• There is a checklist for students to follow, along with an online form and an area to upload your documents for review.

• NOTE: Students MUST send a request to enter this site to: pgirb@purdueglobal.edu .

It’s important to note that most student research coming to the IRB involves the development of a formal thesis project as part of a specific course.  However, it is possible on a few occasions that a student may propose human subject research (with a systematic investigation with an intent to publish) in a class that does not involve a thesis project.  Therefore, it’s important to work closely with your instructor and the IRB to determine if you must submit your proposed research to the PG IRB for review.  The PG IRB is here to help.