Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Valparaiso University is committed to safeguarding the welfare, rights, and privacy of all people who participate as subjects in research projects conducted under its auspices.
Institutional Review Board
About the IRB
Valpo convenes an Institutional Review Board (IRB) which reviews and oversees research protocols involving human subjects conducted by Valpo’s faculty, students, or staff, or by outside investigators using Valpo students, personnel, facilities, or data. The Institutional Review Board includes both scientists and non-scientists – including a community member – who review applications using criteria designed to protect human subjects and help assure the integrity of the research project.
Reporting of Incidents Related to Nonexempt Human Research
The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) requires that any incidents related to nonexempt human research be reported to the reviewing IRB. All researchers (faculty, staff or students) involved in research who believe there are incidents to report should review the following policies to understand which situations require reporting. If there are any questions, please contact the IRB at valpoirb@valpo.edu.
Valparaiso University requires all people involved in the conduct of human subjects research to complete ethics training and to re-certify every 4 years. These requirements apply to ALL people with a significant role in the research, including but not limited to Principal Investigator and Co-investigators (faculty, staff, and students), people who recruit participants or obtain informed consent from participants, and people who gather and analyze data resulting from the research. Researchers involved with NSF-funded projects must complete the relevant “RCR/RECR” class. Ethics training must be completed PRIOR TO contact with prospective participants or handling of data collected as part of the study.
CITI Program training is available to all Valparaiso University faculty, staff, and students. CITI classes are discipline-specific. Each class consists of several modules; learners can take one or more modules at once as time allows. When you register for the program, be sure to affiliate with Valparaiso University by typing “Valparaiso University” in the menu box (we do not appear on the drop-down menu). Once a class is completed, the learner may download a certificate of completion.
IRB Review Process
Please consult the flow chart for a visual representation of Valpo’s IRB review process. Please consult this graphic for a description of the four levels of IRB review and the questions to consider before completing an application. A narrative description is found on the IRB Policies, Procedures, and Forms page.
The Valparaiso University IRB uses a two-step process to evaluate proposed research studies.
The first step requires researchers to complete an online screening questionnaire to help determine whether the study needs to be reviewed by the IRB and, if it does, what level of review is necessary. Many activities that we refer to as “research” do not meet the federal definition of human subjects research that requires IRB oversight. If the project does not meet this definition, no application needs to be submitted to the IRB.
ALL researchers (faculty, staff, and students) MUST start the IRB process by completing the Research Determination and Review Level Screening Questionnaire using the link below. Researchers contacting the IRB verbally or via email will be directed to complete the Screening Questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire, you will be informed if an IRB application is needed and, if so, which one.
If the IRB informs you that an application is needed, the second step is to complete the appropriate online application using one of the links below. All applications MUST include the consent/assent form(s) that will be used in the study and completion certificates for ethics training for all researchers involved in the project. Please also attach other relevant documents such as survey documents, focus group discussion questions, etc.
During the review process, IRB members may contact the applicant for clarifications and/or additional information. Once the IRB has completed its review, the applicant will be informed of the IRB’s determination.
The IRB uses a checklist to guide its review of applications, helping assure that the review is comprehensive and focuses on the ethical treatment of human subjects as defined by the Belmont Report and subsequent regulations.
Student research projects follow the same process as faculty research projects, starting with the Screening Questionnaire mentioned above. Faculty supervisors must sign off on the student’s questionnaire responses before they are submitted. Additionally, if the application is subject to IRB review, the faculty member must review and approve the student’s application. By signing off on the application, faculty members acknowledge that they have educated the student about the IRB process, have guided the student through the application, and have read the student’s completed application and deemed it acceptable prior to submission to the IRB. IRB regulations do not differentiate between students and investigators that are more experienced. Therefore, the IRB will review student applications with the same scrutiny as other applications. Regardless of whether a student’s project is subject to IRB review, faculty should provide ongoing education regarding the principles of the ethical conduct of research and ongoing oversight of student projects.
IORG: 0006339
IRB: 00007623
FWA: 00016619
Collaborative Projects/Single IRB
When a project involves data collection from more than one institution, a Single IRB Agreement is required. Each participating institution must agree on which IRB will oversee the entire project, regardless of the site(s) of the work. Single IRB Agreements are legal contracts between the participants. These agreements must be in place prior to any contact with human subjects and any data collection. Please contact the IRB Chair or IRB Administrator for more information.
Additional IRB Policies, Procedures, and Forms
The Valparaiso University IRB has adopted the following policies, procedures, processes, and accompanying forms:
Student Research and Creative Work
Valparaiso University provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to explore questions that excite them.
Valpo also provides opportunities for students to share their excitement about their research with others through colloquia, the annual Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE), and travel to student conferences all over the country.
Questions?
Get in touch with us.
contact research and creative work
General Inquiries, valpoirb@valpo.edu
Michael Watters, IRB Chair, michael.watters@valpo.edu