Hampshire College

Research that uses human subjects must be reviewed and approved by an independent committee called an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB provides an opportunity and place for individuals with different backgrounds to discuss and make judgments about the acceptability of projects, based on criteria set out in Common Rule ("systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge").

Under the Common Rule, IRBs must have at least five members and include at least one scientist, one non-scientist, and "one member who is not otherwise affiliated with the institution and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affliated with the institution." IRBs have the authority to approve, require modification of (in order to secure approval), and disapprove all research activities covered by the Common Rule. They are also responsible for conducting continuing review of research at least once per year and for ensuring that proposed changes in approved research are not initiated without IRB review and approval, except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject.

For more information, please visit http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_guidebook.htm

Information about the procedures and forms required for submitting a research proposal to the IRB for review can be found on the following web pages: information for students / information for faculty.

Institutional Review Board Members