You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
Institutional Review Board
Currently selected
How do I ?
Check Grades
Check Email
Get Student ID
Commercement
Get Help OneStop
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Institutional Review Board
Pages
Introduction
Home
Introduction
IRB Meeting Calendar
IRB Members
Policies
CITI or NIH Certificate
Researchers - Faculty
IRB Application Procedures
IRB Application Workflow Diagram
Instructor's Application for Course Related Research Involving Human Research
Researchers - Student
IRB Application Procedures
IRB Application Tips
Application Tutorial and Template
IRB Application Workflow Diagram
Online Application
Request for Modification
Project Continuation / Closure Report
Guidelines and Sample Forms
Written Informed Consent Guidelines and Requirement
Research Participant's Bill of Rights
Research Participant's Bill of Rights - Spanish Translation
Parental Consent for Minor to Participate in Research
Children's Consent to Participate in Research
Information Letter Sample for Research Subjects
Policy for Research Using Social Networking Websites
Exempt Review
Expedited Review
Full Committee Review
Guidelines for Course-Related Student Research
In This Section
References
Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee established to review and approve research involving human subjects. The purpose of the IRB is to ensure that all human subject research be conducted in accordance with all federal, institutional, and ethical guidelines. The goal of the IRB is to provide all UMass Global community members with information, guidance, forms, and related materials needed to secure IRB approval for human subject research.
Under FDA regulations, an IRB is an appropriately constituted group that has been formally designated to review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects. In accordance with FDA regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove research. This group review serves an important role in the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects.
The purpose of IRB review is to assure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research. To accomplish this purpose, IRBs use a group process to review research protocols and related materials (e.g., informed consent documents and investigator brochures) to ensure protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects of research.
The IRB reviews research projects which involve human subjects to ensure that two broad standards are upheld: first, that subjects are not placed at undue risk; second, that they give un-coerced, informed consent to their participation.
With representation from a wide range of scientific and academic disciplines, and from outside the academic community, the IRB gives rapid but individualized attention to the numerous research projects at UMass Global.