Contents

• What is Human Subjects Research?
• What is the Institutional Review Board?
• Who is on the Board?
• Application

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What is Human Subjects Research?

From the DHHS Office for Protection from Research Risks

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What is the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee designated by an institution to review, approve, and conduct periodic review of research involving human subjects. The primary purpose of such review is to assure the protection of the rights and welfare of the human subjects.

IRBs have been implemented around the world to prevent unethical treatment of human subjects. IRBs in the United States were established as an outcome of Senate hearings (1972) and legislation passed in 1974. Currently, the federal government regulates IRBs.

The IRB's role at Gallaudet extends to all research involving human subjects whether conducted by faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, or non-Gallaudet researchers. ALL research projects involving human subjects or information previously obtained from human subjects must be submitted to the IRB before recruitment of subjects begins. The purpose of the IRB is to inform and protect human subjects used in research. The IRB acts as an advocate for the research subject. This means that the IRB, during its review of a research project and the informed consent, has the right and responsibility to ensure that the research subject is fully informed of the procedures involved in the study as well as the risks.

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Who is on the Board?

The Gallaudet Institution Review Board currently has 15 members representing various components of the Gallaudet University campus and community. There are 2 community members and a graduate student/alternate on the Board. There are two staff members of the Board who do not vote during meetings.

The Gallaudet IRB office is located at:

Kendall Hall
The Graduate School and Professional Programs
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20002-3695

(202) 651-5400 (V/TTY)
(202) 651-5295 (FAX)

• Carolyn A. Corbett, Ph.D. is the Chair of the IRB and can be contacted at:irb.chair@gallaudet.edu
• Sally Dunn is the IRB Coordinator and can be contacted at:sally.dunn@gallaudet.edu
• Christen Szymanski is the Graduate IRB Assistant and can be contacted at:irb@gallaudet.edu

Application

Application Instructions

You can download an application and mail or fax it to the IRB office along with your proposal. If you are an off campus person you will need a sponsor to sign your application.

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Helpful Links and Resources

• The University of Minnesota's Informed Consent tutorial
• The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)
• The Food and Drug Administration Guidance for IRBs
• Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R)
• IRB Forum - a discussion group for IRB administrators
  

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