Institutional Review Board (IRB) Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need an IRB?
Who is on the Board?
Do I need to
submit an application?
What do I need to submit?
How do I submit an
application?
How often does the IRB meet and when can I expect an answer?
What should I include in my written informed consent document?
What if I want to change something to my approved protocol?
What happens if
something goes wrong?
My research is complete. What else does the IRB need?
Where are all the forms that I need to complete?
Why do we need an IRB?
The IRB serves to protect the rights and concerns of human subjects
participating in research by New College students or faculty. The IRB also
reviews research protocols involving human subjects by others outside the campus
wanting to use New College students in their research, although most other
institutions will review their work first. The important key is that we
are seeking to protect the welfare and health of human subjects.
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Who is on the Board?
New College of Florida's Institutional Review Board is made up of the
following members:
-
Amy Clore - Biology, Division of Natural Science
- (appointed 2006-2007)
- Laura Lincoln - Non-affiliated member
- (appointed 2006-2007)
- Chavella Pittman - Sociology, Division of Social Sciences
- (appointed 2007-2008 to replace Maria
Vesperi)
- Jonathan Roberti, Chair - Assistant Program Director,
Counseling and Wellness Center
- (appointed 2006-2007)
- Chad Seales - Music, Division of Humanities
- (appointed 2007-2008)
- Maria Vesperi - Anthropology, Division of
Social Sciences
- (appointed 2008-2009)
The board strongly encourages all faculty and students to read the
Policy and Procedural Manual.
If you have specific questions that are not addressed below, please direct them to the Human Protections
Administrator (HPA),
Jeanne Ware,
in the Office of Research Programs and Services (ORPS).
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Do I need to submit an application?
If you have a senior thesis or
an independent research
project that will use
human subjects, it will require
a review. Even if you believe your research to be exempt from review, that
does not mean you do not need to seek approval. All research conducted by
New College faculty or students that involve human subjects requires IRB review
and approval. The most common situation that arises is research conducted
in a classroom setting. This type of research does not need approval if
the research is not generalizable outside of the classroom setting. The
problem exists if that research will be used later on as part of the research
that will be generalizable. If you have any plans on using research in the
future, obtain approval through the IRB first. Please check with the
HPA
if you have questions.
In addition,
we are asked many questions regarding anthropological and ethnographic research.
The American Anthropological Association has adopted a statement on Ethnography
and IRB review. It is well worth the read.
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What do I submit?
The application
that is used is the
Human Subject Research Application.
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How do I submit an application?
The board requires a
single hard copy of the application and materials that will be used (such as
recruitment material, informed consent forms, etc.) with original
signatures on the application. You will not be required to attach
completed training certificates as the certificates are emailed directly to the
HPA upon completion of the course.
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How often does the IRB meet and when can I expect an answer?
The IRB will meet at least once per semester at a minimum. All applications will be reviewed
on a continuing basis; however, for applications not submitted prior to the
Friday before Spring or Fall Break, review time may take considerably longer.
Please allow at least 2 weeks for review and approval. The
cutoff dates for review and approval are as follows: April 15th for research
beginning the following Summer and Fall (June 1 - December 31); November 15th for research
beginning January ISP and Spring (January 1 - May 31). If the 15th falls on a weekend, the
deadline will be the following Monday. Applications received after these
deadlines will be postponed for review until the following review period. The IRB does not review new applications over the summer. Below is a
link we have provided with a flow chart of the process.
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What should
I include in my written informed consent document?
This question is asked quite a bit. We have provided you with templates
to use that will greatly reduce your informed consent creation. Please
note: These templates are not a requirement if you plan on using a
written informed consent document. You may prefer to use a "narrative"
type document. If so, you may use the structure of the template to help
you include the right kinds of information.
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What if
I want to change something to my approved protocol?
Even the best laid plans sometimes need modification,
especially with research. If you foresee a need to change your protocol
procedures in ANY way (examples include but are not limited to, reduction in
population pool, change in population selection, survey instrument change, site
change, expanding the population pool, etc.), you are required to complete a
Modification Request
Form, have it signed by the faculty advisor and submit the signed original form
to the HPA.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
First and foremost, ensure the subjects safety and care. If the adverse
event is not life-threatening, be sure complete and
Adverse Event Form
and submit the form
immediately to the IRB after the event, but no later than 10 working days after
the event.
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My research is complete. What else does the IRB need?
Great question! Proper closure of your protocol is just as important as
opening one. After all of your data is collected and analyzed and you are
completing your thesis or report, remember to complete the
Final Report Form,
have your faculty
advisor sign it (if applicable) and turn it in to the IRB. We will then
officially close your protocol.
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Where are all the forms that I need to complete?
NCF Application and Form Downloads
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