IRB

IRB'S

(Institutional Review Boards)

17 Federal Agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF) adhere to federal regulations called the Common Rule for the Protection of Human Subjects which is 45 CFR Part 690.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

The IRB's exist to safeguard and promote the ethical and responsible treatment of human subjects/participants in research.  The important questions to be considered are:  Is my project considered research and does my project protect the welfare of human subjects?

There are some types of activities that are specifically exempt from IRB review.  These include:

• 1) non-intrusive observations of subjects in public places,
• 2) data-gathering from class members for classroom purposes - for example class exercises and course evaluations,
• 3) needs assessment or evaluation data intended to remain within the Ventura College community.

IRB's are authorized to review, approve, require modifications in, or disapprove research activities conducted by or through the College using human subjects.  The IRB does not assume the role of evaluating the soundness of the proposed research study, the merits of the research design, nor the potential contribution of the research to the scholarly literature.  Rather, the IRB is charged with evaluating each project's compliance with ethical standards in regard to issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and any risk to the participants. 

(Excerpt from Sinclair Community College IRB Charter and Standard Operating Procedures).

The Ventura College IRB Charter and Standard Operating Procedures will be posted upon completion.