An IRB should have at least 5 members
- One scientist
- One nonscientist (must be present for all the voting meetings)
- One unaffiliated (must be present for all the voting meetings)
It must be indicated on the member list whether a member is a scientist, nonscientist, or unaffiliated
Alternates listed in the roster to substitute for a member in order to meet a quorum
Non-member experts can be called if needed but may not vote
Quorum requires a majority of the IRB membership (at least 50% plus 1), including a nonscientist member. An alternates count for fulfilling the quorum requirement.
If the proposed research involves prisoners, a prisoner or prisoner representative must be included in the review process.
The convened IRB can approve the research, require modifications, disapprove the research, or table it for another time.
A study is approved when a majority of those present at the meeting vote to approve it.
APPROVE > DISAPPROVE + ABSTAIN
In IRB member who has a conflict of interest with a particular research protocol may not participate in the review