Policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research

IRB Checklist
1. Review Policy.
2. Complete Application for Human Subjects Research.
3. Include copies of questionnaires/survey instruments and informed consent documents
4. Obtain all signatures
5. Send all materials to: IRB Chairman; Maxwell Library, Room 200

The College's policy on the use of human subjects in research conforms to a variety of federal and state laws and regulations designed to assure that the rights of participants are fully protected. The policy serves both to protect subjects' rights and to assure that the researchers are appropriately protected from situations that might arise in which real or perceived harm is caused to participants. The latter is particularly important to individual researchers since they can be held personally liable both civilly and criminally, for "damages" resulting from research that is not consistent with College policy.

Copies of the policy and procedures are available below as well as in the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects, Bridgewater State College, Maxwell Library, Room 200. You are urged to review the policy if you or your students are doing any research (including questionnaires). All research involving the use of human subjects must be submitted for review to the Institutional Review Board. Final determination of status (exempt, expedited, or subject to full review) is made by the Institutional Review Board.  Any questions regarding the Institutional Review Board should be directed to the IRB Chairman at (508) 531-2669 or email: IRB@bridgew.edu

Proposals requiring full review must be submitted to the Institutional Review Board (in care of the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects) at least one week before each regular meeting of the Board. The schedule of meetings and deadlines is to be determined, and will be made available on this site as well as at the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects. The researcher is notified of the Institutional Review Board's decision.

Proposals requiring expedited review or which are exempt must first be reviewed by the Chairman of the Institutional Review Board. A synopsis of these processes is available below as well as in the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects.

Your research will likely NOT be deemed exempt by the IRB if any of the following applies to your research:

  • Do you conduct surveys with any persons or institutions outside of the Bridgewater State College Community?
  • Do you use members of the Bridgewater State College community outside of your own classes?
  • Are your subjects under 18 years old?
  • Do you plan to publish the results of your project?
  • Have you been contacted by any persons outside of the College who wish to use members of the Bridgewater State College community as research subjects?
  • Does your research involve questions on socially sensitive topics such as sexual activity or drug use?

If you are doing research on or off campus, you, as researcher, are responsible for ensuring that all federal guidelines are adhered to for the protection of the College, respondents, and the researcher.

Bridgewater State College Institutional Review Board

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is charged with the protection of human subjects in research done on campus or by members of the Bridgewater State College community. IRB members are appointed by the President. The Board's composition consists of faculty from all three schools plus one member external to the College.

Institutional Review Board Meeting and Deadline Dates:

Meeting Dates

Deadlines for Full Review

October 27

October 13

November 24

November 10

February 23

February 9

March 23

March 9

April 27

April 13

Institutional Review Board Members:

  • Chair: Dr. Orlando Olivares, Psychology
  • Interim Executive Secretary: Colleen Campbell, Grants and Sponsored Projects
  • Dr. Lydia Burak, Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies
  • Dr. Michael Jones, Economics
  • Dr. Carolyn Petrosino, Criminal Justice
  • Dr. Elizabeth Spievak, Psychology

Forms and Documentation

IRB Training

        IRB Members Training (Required)

  • All BSC IRB members are required to complete an IRB training session.
  • Required training internet link (Registration is required, but there is no charge.)
  • Each member is to print a certificate upon completion of the training.
  • This certificate is to be sent to the BSC IRB Executive Secretary.
  • A new certificate is not needed each year from each committee member.
  • All IRB members must be recertified every three years.
  • The certificate will be placed in IRB files at the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects.

        Researcher Training

  • Primary researchers (which includes students) and faculty sponsors are not required to submit a training certificate prior to the submission of an IRB application.
  • Completing the training session is highly recommended.  Some funders, particularly NIH and the Department of Veterans Affairs, may require the training session before a research project commences.
  • Required training internet link (Registration is required, but there is no charge.)

Resources

 

Last Modified: November 3, 2009