The Institutional Review Board (IRB), alternately referred to as The Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects, is a standing institutional review board established in compliance with federal policy for the protection of human subjects of research.

IRB Purpose

The basic principles that govern the IRB in assuring that the rights and welfare of subjects are protected are contained in Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research (“The Belmont Report”).  The IRB adheres to the federal guidelines for protection of human subjects in research promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), found at 45 CFR 46 and referred to as the “Common Rule.”  The purpose of the IRB is to ensure:

• that no research activity sponsored or conducted by the University of Dayton unduly endangers the safety, comfort, or privacy of human subjects;

• that procedures are followed to protect the rights and privacy of subjects during and after the research; and

• that each subject has given informed consent to participation in the research.

        It should also be noted that the IRB serves another important function, which is to protect the researcher and the University from ethical and/or legal liability.

Current members

        Jon Nieberding (Chair), Research Institute (Office of Research); Greg Elvers, Department of Psychology; Jayne Brahler, Health and Sports Science; Charlie Russo, School of Education; Mark Nielsen, Biology; Andy Foley, Student Health Center; and Dave Kancler, Research Institute (Human Factors).

        The IRB  recently formed a sub-committee to review medically-oriented research. Members of the IRB Medical sub-committee include:

        Jayne Brahler, Health and Sports Science (sub-committee Chair); Janine Baer, Health and Sport Science; Philip Anloague, Physical Therapy Program; Andy Foley, Health Center; and Kurt Jackson, Physical Therapy Program.

        Please send all proposals (electronic and hard copy) to:

Andrea Hill

Student Assistant, IRB

Kettering Labs Room 542

Dayton, OH 45469-0104

(937) 229-2919

hillands@notes.udayton.edu

        All questions about policy, specific reviews, advisory opinions, and other technical matters should be directed to:

 Jon Nieberding, Chair

300 College Park

Kettering Labs, Room 542

Dayton, OH 45469-0104

jon.nieberding@udri.udayton.edu

(937) 229-4053 phone

(937) 229-2291 fax

Guiding Principles

        The following principles apply to all research, including student projects, involving human subjects at the University of Dayton to ensure that adequate safeguards are provided:

1. At all times subjects’ legal rights will be respected and their rights to privacy, dignity, and comfort will also be considered in approving proposed research.

2. Risks to subject(s) must be reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects, and the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result.

3.  Adequate provision(s) must be made for all facilities, procedures, and professional attention necessary for the protection of the individual as a research subject.

4. Adequate provision(s) should be made for recruiting a subject population that is representative of the population base in terms of gender and minority representation unless scientifically justified.

5. Research involving human subject(s) must be supervised by qualified persons, including qualified clinicians for all study-related healthcare decisions, and by at least one faculty member in the case of student-led research.

6. Participation of a human subject in research must be voluntary and the right to withdraw at any time must be provided.  Information provided to gain subject consent must be adequate, appropriate and presented in lay language appropriate to the subject population.

7. All research programs that involve human subjects must be reviewed by and must receive approval from the IRB prior to their initiation or prior to initiating any changes to the protocol. Continuing research programs are subject to annual review at minimum. Terms of review will be decided by the IRB Chair on a case by case basis.

The IRB cannot review research for which funding has already been approved, or that has already been performed.

Additional Information

By early December additional resources will be added to this site, including:

• Forms and procedures for applying for an exemption;

• Online training modules in research ethics and in subject protections;

• A schedule of upcoming IRB meetings;

• A link to "Frequently Asked Questions" which will address common questions about the application process, the review process, and additional resources.

       Page last updated 10/9/2007