Institutional Review Board
Guiding Principles
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Mather
LifeWays protects human
subjects in research. Whether the research is locally sponsored
or subject to Federal regulation, every study must pass the scrutiny of the IRB
for the sake of adhering to the highest ethical
standards. Specifically, the IRB reviews all
projects when the research:
- is sponsored by Mather LifeWays.
- is conducted by or under the direction of
any employee or agent of Mather LifeWays in
connection with his/her responsibilities.
- is conducted by or under the direction of
any employee or agent of Mather LifeWays using
any of its property or residence.
- involves the use of Mather LifeWays' non-public
information to identify or contact human subjects.
The IRB is guided by four overriding principles:
- Subjects must be informed about the nature
of the study and the details of their participation; their participation must be voluntary.
- The benefits of the research must outweigh
the risks.
- The risks and benefits of research should
be evenly distributed among the possible subject
populations.
- Confidentiality and anonymity of subjects
must be maintained.
In making its decisions, the IRB gives primary
consideration to:
- the risks to the subjects.
- anticipated benefits to the subjects and
to others.
- the importance of the knowledge that may
result.
- the informed consent process to be employed.
|
Contact information:
(888) 722.6468
IRB guidelines for investigators,
forms, and consent form templates
Mather LifeWays' IRB Guidelines
for Investigators follow federal
review guidelines. Researchers
must complete the new project
application for all research
studies. An example consent
form template outlines information
and language required by the
IRB.
The IRB generally meets monthly. As protocol submissions come to the IRB, however, they will be reviewed by staff for completeness. Staff will then recommend appropriate IRB review.
The review process:
There are three types of review possible: full review, expedited review, and exempt from further review.
Continuing review:
Federal regulations require that all human subject's research projects receive an annual re-review. High-risk projects may require more frequent review or reports. The terms for these special cases will be written in the original approval.
Pilot studies:
Pilot studies and feasibility studies require the same scrutiny as full-scale research projects. Applications for pilot studies should be identified as such so that the IRB is aware of the true nature of the study.
|
|
|
