Research with Human Subjects

Tips for Research with Human Subjects and Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval for UALR Psychology Students

First, consult with your faculty advisor and understand that departmental review is required prior to university IRB submission

Tip One Review the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 8.01 through 8.09

Tip Two Read the article entitled Navigating Your First IRB Review

Tip Three Read UALR's IRB Student Guide

Tip Four Visit the UALR Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (here you will obtain your request for review document and may complete your required training if you have not already done so)

Tip Five Read several Informed Consent Recommendations from the American Psychological Society

Tip Six Access the University of Minnesota's Web-Based Instruction on Informed Consent where you may generate a consent document that may be suitable for submission to an IRB (when you've completed your informed consent document select "options" to email the document to yourself)

Remember that your reviewer does not understand your research methodology as you do, so explain each step carefully. Also, attach all documents your subjects will see/complete.

Informed consent checklist:

___Invitation to participate

___Purpose of research

___Selection basis

___Study procedures

___Description of risks and discomforts

___Description of benefits/incentives

___Available alternatives (if needed)

___Assurance of confidentiality

___Offer to answer questions

___Noncoercive disclaimer

___Complete disclosure (promise for debrief)

___Understandable

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Department of Psychology
2801 S. University
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099
501-569-3171

Designed and maintained by: David Mastin