Nearly every academic institution conducting research on human subjects has a group of individuals representing the institution and community who are responsible for reviewing the research methods used by researchers at the institution. These groups are usually referred to as an IRB. Southern Arkansas University’s IRB reviews research protocols to ensure that individuals who volunteer for or are compensated for their participation in research are treated with dignity and care for their welfare. The IRB helps the university to be confident that research conducted here is ethical, fair, and safe for participants. It also helps researchers be confident that their research has been reviewed for issues that they may not have considered. It helps the community to be assured that if they participate in research that they will be treated with dignity and protected from undue harm.
IRB Policy Guidelines
For a detailed explanation of the IRB, what it does, and how it reviews research proposals, you can read the IRB Policy and Procedure Manual below. There are also some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below that may answer many of your questions. When in doubt, read the policy manual or contact the IRB chair for counsel.
