Institutional Review Board (IRB) Updates

The Institutional Review Board reminds everyone about the review process. These are changes that were created at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. We just wanted to send reminders. Also, be aware that there is a Navigating HU’s IRB this Tuesday at 11 a.m. This is required for all students conducting research. There is more information below.

As COVID-19 guidelines continue to change, any research that requires the data to be collected in person will remain as a Full Review. We recommend that research be conducted through other means, if possible. If a research study must utilize in-person data collection, there are specific deadlines for the review, since all of the IRB members, including the external reviewer, will need to review the research proposal. There will be close examination of safety protocols and the language surrounding the use of masks, etc. The Full Review deadlines for Spring are:

• February 12, 2022
• March 12, 2022
• April 9, 2022

Remember, anyone wanting to conduct research needs to complete the IRB human subjects ethics training. The ethics training is good for two years. Students will also be required to complete the Navigating HU’s IRB Training. This additional training will help give students more information about how to complete an IRB research proposal successfully. This is a one-time training. We are strongly recommending that faculty and staff complete the additional training, but it will not be required. The IRB ethics training is on the IRB’s Canvas page. You must first sign up for the IRB’s Canvas page. You will scroll down to where it talks about enrolling in the IRB’s Canvas page. The additional training will happen twice, each semester, in Zoom. As the training requirements are fulfilled, the IRB will send you certificates of completion, which must be included in any research application.

Spring 2022:

• February 8 at 11 a.m.
• March 3 at 11 a.m.

These dates and times are during “free periods,” so there should not be conflicts with these dates and times for students. However, if there is a conflict, please contact the IRB. The links for the Zoom meetings are available on the IRB’s Canvas page, under the Zoom tab.

The dates and trainings are posted on the IRB's Canvas page. You can sign up using this link.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sarah Lazzari (Chair), irb@heidelberg.edu

Josh Bowman

Nancy El Gendy

Morgan Kocher

Robbie Oates

Heleana Theixos

Char Pope, outside reviewer