UALR Institutional Review Board

 

A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO

using human PARTICIPANTS in research

 

·        What is the UALR policy regarding the use of human participants in research?

 

All research involving human participants conducted by faculty, staff, or students of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) must be reviewed and approved by the UALR Institutional Review Board (IRB).  The UALR IRB operates according to the guidelines in the Code of Federal Regulations (45CFR46) and other state and institutional guidelines.

 

·        What does the IRB do?

 

It is the responsibility of the IRB to review research protocols involving human participants to ensure that the rights of the participants are protected, that they are not subject to unreasonable harm (physical and emotional), and that information about them is kept confidential.

 

·        What is research?

 

Research means a systematic investigation, including pilot research, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities that meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy.

 

·        What is a human participant?

 

Human participant means a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or through identifiable private information.

 

·        How do I know if I should submit a research protocol to the IRB?

 

If your research project (including observation, interviews and surveys) involves human participants, you must submit an IRB Review request form.

 

·        When should I submit my review request to the IRB?

 

You may submit your request at any time, but you must receive IRB approval before you begin recruiting participants or collecting data.

 

·        What do I submit?

 

Complete an IRB Review Request form. IRB Review Request forms are available at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, 205 Administration North. The forms are also available electronically on the ORSP website <http://www.ualr.edu/orsp/irb/htm>

 

You must also submit an informed consent form or survey cover letter, and any tests, surveys, or interview questions you will be using in your study.

 

·        What is informed consent?

 

Informed consent is generally obtained through a document that fully discloses the nature of the research, explains the risks (both physical and psychological) and benefits and allows the individual to voluntarily decide whether to participate in the research study or not.

 

·        To whom do I submit my request?

 

IRB review requests may be submitted electronically or in hard copy. If submitted electronically, e-mail it to at sekaufman@ualr.edu.  If you submit hard copy send it to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs:

           

Sharon Kaufman                                          or          Dana Ball

Human Subjects Compliance Officer                      IRB Support

            Administration North Room 311                              Administration North Room 205

           

·        What happens after I submit my IRB Review Request?

 

Once the request is submitted it will be processed and routed to the IRB. The type of IRB review dictates the length of time necessary for a decision. If your study is eligible for an ‘Exemption From Full Board Review’ submission, you will receive a decision within five business days after submission. An ‘Expedited Review’ submission decision is made within 3 weeks after submission, and a ‘Full Board Review’ submission decision is made within one month after submission.

 

·        How will I be notified of the status of my request?

 

You and your faculty supervisor will receive an e-mail message from the IRB Chair (or designee) detailing the review decision.

 

·        What is the best way to prepare my IRB Review request?

 

You should work closely with your faculty advisor well in advance of beginning the actual research. It will be important for you to apply what you learned in the CITI online training course when you complete your IRB proposal.