Policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research

The University'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 University policy.

Copies of the policy and procedures are available below as well as in the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects, Bridgewater State University, 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.  Final determination of status (exempt, expedited, or subject to full review) is made by the Chair and/or the Board.  Any questions regarding the Institutional Review Board should be directed to the IRB Chair at (508) 531-1242 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, Maxwell Library, Room 200) at least one week before each regular meeting of the Board. The researcher will be 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 University community?
  • Do you use members of the Bridgewater State University 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 University who wish to use members of the Bridgewater State University 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 University, respondents, and the researcher.

Bridgewater State University 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 University community. The Board's composition consists of faculty from all three schools plus one member external to the University.

 

Institutional Review Board Meeting and Deadline Dates

Institutional Review Board Members

Forms and Documentation

  • Bridgewater State University Policy on the Protection of Human Subjects in Research

  • IRB Training

            IRB Members Training (Required)

    • All BSU 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 BSU 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: January 4, 2013