Institutional Review Board Overview
Overview
- OCCC employees and investigators not associated with OCCC need to submit their research proposal to the College's Institutional Review Board if they are obtaining information about living humans, interacting or intervening with humans, or are supported by government funding.
- Investigators must complete an IRB application form, noting if they wish to be considered for exempt status with the IRB. In addition to submission of the IRB application, investigators must submit the following documentation (not all may be applicable.
- IRB Application for Exempt, Expedited and Full Board Studies
- Description of Research Proposal
- Evidence of completion of OHRP Human Subject Assurance Training modules for researchers
- Informed Consent Forms
- Copy of home institution and/or other IRB approval
- Approval forms from applicable government agencies
- All research proposals should be submitted to the Chair of the IRB no later than two weeks before the first Monday of the month. Submissions after the due date will be considered at the following months meeting.
- Research proposals with no risks to human subjects can qualify as exempt and will be reviewed by only the IRB Chair. The IRB Chair reserves the right to determine the use of human subjects and the risk level of the human subjects based on the submitted documents. Additionally, the IRB Chair may request further documentation, recommend changes to the research, ask for clarification, or decline a proposal.
- Research proposals that involve a minimal amount of risks to human subjects can qualify for expedited review. The proposal will then be reviewed by the Chair and/or an additional member of the IRB familiar with the area of study. An expert may be consulted if necessary. The review team may request further documentation, recommend changes to the research, ask for clarification, or decline a proposal.
- Research proposals that involve more than a minimal amount of risks to human subjects, or if the expedited review team can not reach agreement about your proposal, then a review by the full IRB Board will be required. The IRB Board may request further documentation, recommend changes to the research, ask for clarification, or reject your proposal.
- The IRB will make every attempt to respond to your proposals within two weeks after it is reviewed. Approved research is granted no more than 12 months to complete research. Research that will exceed 12 months may re-apply for IRB approval. The IRB may revoke your research privilege if you violate or deviate from your proposed methodology. Any changes in research methodology should be submitted to the IRB.