1. What is the Institutional Review Board and why does it exist?
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee of faculty and community members who review the involvement/participation of individuals in research programs/projects conducted by any Mississippi College researcher, faculty, student or staff. This requirement is legislated and mandated by the federal legislation for any federally funded research. Federal legislation on human subjects' protection was enacted to protect research participants from violation of their human rights.
2. What ethical principles guide the IRB in the protection of human subjects?
Three basic principles of ethics are particularly relevant to the protection of human subjects in research. They are:
- Respect for persons: recognition of the personal dignity and autonomy of individuals and special protection of those persons with diminished autonomy;
- Beneficience: obligation to protect persons from harm by maximizing anticipated benefits and minimizing possible risks of harm; and
- Justice: fairness in the distribution of research benefits burdens.
3. Do I have to submit my research to the IRB?
All research projects that will involve human participants must be submitted for review and approval before beginning the study. Typically, if your research meets the following criteria, you must submit your research to the IRB:
- You are utilizing human participants in your research AND
- Your data collection methods are systematic and methodical AND
- The goal of your research activities is to contribute to the generalizable scientific knowledge base of discipline (e.g., you plan to publish your results in a scholarly journal or you plan to present your findings at a professional conference)
4. Is what I am doing research?
Research is any activity which gathers information on individuals participating in any activity. Research means a systematic investigation, any investigation designed to develop or contribute to knowledge or understanding about a question. It includes survey, testing, program evaluation, interviews, and focus groups. Research is collecting information (data) on people and using that data in reports presented, published, or reported outside of the activity. If the data are only for program/activity improvement and not reported to anyone or anywhere else ever, then it is not research and does not have to go to the IRB. If after conducting the programs/activity, the findings are so exciting that they just have to be communicated at the next annual meeting, then those findings become research and the IRB must be consulted.
5. Is the terminology “human research participants” the same as “human subjects”?
The phrases “human subjects” and “human research participants” can be used interchangeably. “Participant” is the preferred term.
6. I’m doing a class project. Does it have to be review by the IRB?
Class or lab projects that are being carried out for teaching purposes do not have to be reviewed by the IRB. Whether or not the IRB reviews research for a class project, it is expected that any research conducted by students, faculty, or staff will uphold the same ethical treatment of research participants as projects that are reviewed by the IRB.
7. How long does it take to get my project reviewed by the IRB?
Typically, it should take no longer than a month. The IRB meets approximately four times per semester. You can view the current semester’s IRB meeting dates on the website. You must submit your proposal at least 10 working days before the meeting in which you would like your proposal to be reviewed.
8. What if I disagree with the feedback provided by the IRB on my research proposal?
If a researcher does not feel that the IRB’s suggested changes for a research proposal are appropriate, the researcher is encouraged to write a memo to the IRB Chair explaining the issue. The IRB is here to work with and support Mississippi College researchers and is open to any relevant information concerning their feedback provided to researchers.
9. I am the faculty adviser of a student doing research involving human subjects. Why do I need to complete training?
Although your student may be doing the research, as a faculty sponsor you are responsible for ensuring appropriate research design when human subjects are involved and for assisting in development of the application to the Mississippi College IRB. In addition, you have responsibility for his or her conduct in the field, adherence to protocol, and any adverse events or problems that may occur. You should also be able to appropriately address any questions from subjects concerning their rights as a subject or potential violations of such rights.
