Institutional Review Board
Any institution participating in research or sponsored programs must have an approval process in place for the use of human subjects.
IRB review times vary and are affected by the following factors:
- Level of Review and risks to research participants. Please note the IRB reviewer can change review levels as deemed appropriate for the study.
- Peak application times may extend turnaround times.
- Exempt reviews can take up to two weeks to complete, however, this may be extended, if needed.
- Expedited Reviews can take up to one month to complete, however, this may be extended, if needed.
- Full Board Reviews can take up to two months to complete. They are reviewed once a month at a time applicable to the committee members.
- If the IRB committee has any questions or concerns regarding the proposal, the approval process may take longer than usual.
A secure lockbox is available to checkout at the Office of Research & Graduate College (Tomlinson – Room 113)
Dates and times for monthly irb meetings
Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 |
August No Meeting |
January 4, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. |
September 7, 2023 – 3:00 pm. |
February 1, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. |
October 5, 2023 – 3:00 p.m. |
March 7, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. |
November 2, 2023 – 3:00 p.m. |
April 4, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. |
December 7, 2023 – 3:00 p.m. |
May 2, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Per 45 CFR46.102(e)(1), "[h]uman subject means a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research:
(i) Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and uses, studies or analyzes the information or biospecimens;
(ii) Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generates identifiable private information or identifiable specimens.
The function of the IRB is to review requests on research involving human participants and to conduct periodic reviews of human participant policies and procedures.
Per 45 CFR 46.111, the IRB “shall determine that all of the following requirements are satisfied: 1) [r]isks to subjects are minimized...; 2) [r]isks to subjects are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits...; 3) [s]election of subjects is equitable...; 4) [i]nformed consent will be sought from each prospective subject or the subject’s legally authorized representative, in accordance with, and to the extent required by, 45 CFT 46.116; 5) [i]nformed consent will be appropriately documented or appropriately waived in accordance with 45 CFT 46.117; 6) [w]hen appropriate, the research plan makes adequate provision for monitoring data collected to ensure the safety of subjects; and 7) [w]hen appropriate, [ensure that] there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of data."
If the IRB determines that benefits of a proposed research study outweighs the risks, they review the consent process to ensure that all potential risks and benefits are clearly identified to prospective participants and that participation is voluntary.
After the review, the IRB may elect to approve, table, or reject the research application. The committee may require protocol revision(s) and resubmission. In the event of requested revisions, the proposal must be resubmitted for IRB review and approval.
There are several activities that may involve human subjects but that are not classified as research. As such, these activities do not fall under the IRB's policies and jurisdiction. All of the types of activities listed below do not require IRB applications or approvals.
- ATU teacher and student evaluations;
- Program evaluation research to benefit ATU and carried out by ATU administrative officials and/or their designees;
- Projects designed to enhance or improve curricula offerings;
- ATU employee performance evaluations;
- State of Arkansas mandated program evaluations;
- Marketing research (designed to market the institution as a product).
QUESTIONS
If you have further questions about whether or not your research must be reviewed by the IRB, please consult the Human Subject Decision Charts: 2018 Requirements. If the decision charts do not address your question, please contact the IRB at irb@atu.edu for further guidance.
COLLABORATIVE INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING (CITI)
Researchers must complete the CITI training prior to beginning their project. IRB Applications will not be reviewed without including proof of CITI course completion. The Collaborative Institutional Training (CITI) is an online training module teaching research methods.
CITI TRAINING COURSECITI COURSE ENROLLMENT INSTRUCTIONS
IRB LINKS
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD
Appointments 2023-24
- College of Education and Health: Dr. Tennille Lasker-Scott
- College of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics: Vacant
- College of Education and Health: Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim
- College of Business and Economic Development: Dr. John Narcum
- College of Business and Economic Development: Dr. Bryan Rank (Chair)
- College of Education and Health: Dr. Melissa Darnell
- College of Arts and Humanities: Dr. Patrick Hagge
- Community Member: Seth Coulter
Alternate Members
- College of Education and Health: Dr. Rene Couture
- College of Arts and Humanities: Dr. Jason Warnick
- College of Business and Economic Development: Dr. Georgeanna Wright
- College of Education and Health: Dr. Pam Dixon