What is an IRB?

The Human Subjects Review Board/Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee established to help protect the rights and welfare of human research participants, including biological materials (blood, tissue, etc.).  Federal regulations require that an IRB review and approve research involving human subjects if it is funded or regulated by the federal government.  Most research institutions, professional organizations, and scholarly journals, including Iona College, have chosen to apply the same requirements to all human research, regardless of the funding source.

The IRB at Iona College is guided by the principles outlined in the Belmont Report of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research (April 18, 1979). In order to fulfill its mission, the IRB carefully reviews research proposals to determine the following:

• Respect for persons
• Risks to subjects are minimized and are reasonable in relation to expected benefits of the research
• Selection of subjects is equitable
• Informed consent is obtained from each subject or legal representative
• Data collection is monitored where applicable
• Privacy and confidentiality of research subjects is protected

What Authority does an Iona IRB have?

The Iona IRB has the authority to:

• Approve research
• Require research modification
• Disapprove research
• Conduct continuing reviews
• Observe/verify changes
• Suspend or terminate approval

The Iona IRB does not have the authority to:

• Commit the College to the use of any of its administrative systems (such as email) to conduct the actual research or surveys.
• The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP) is the primary interface in regard to any request for dissemination of surveys that have been vetted for compliance with human subject standards by the IRB.
• The Provost's Office can be used to inquire about the need to seek OIEP endorsement or to answer any unresolved questions.

These steps generally FOLLOW IRB approval.

Who are the Members and What is the Protocol for Selection?

The membership of the IRB may vary at any given time, depending upon people's availability/work requirements, etc. As a general rule, however, the IRB is composed of at least five members, including one member not affiliated with Iona College, representing varied academic disciplines. In addition, regulations also stipulate that the members are chosen based on their experience and expertise in all areas of research being reviewed; diversity of backgrounds; knowledge of institutional commitments, regulations, and standards of professional conduct; and knowledge and experience with vulnerable populations.

Membership Qualifications and Responsibilities are described in a separate section. In addition to the criteria specified in that section, hearings of the IRB may also include the following:

• Consultant: A consultant shall be considered when the IRB determines that the proposal demands a consultation from an outside source.
• Representatives of special groups: In cases where research proposals focus on vulnerable populations, consultants or members knowledgeable about that population should be included in the review.

Research Conducted by Investigators not Affiliated with Iona College

Proposals from researchers not affiliated with Iona are not being considered at this time.