Institutional Review Board
Research Ethics and Review Committee Guidelines
The Committee receives proposals from all students, faculty, and administrative staff conducting research involving human or animal research subjects regardless of the form, location, or whether or not it is funded or if another institutional review has been made, e.g., by a hospital institutional review board. If applicable, a copy of that review is to accompany the proposal. Students who carry out research projects involving human or animal subjects must receive prior approval of the student’s protocol by the faculty member sponsoring and supervising the research in the student’s proposal. In addition, this Committee:
Responsibility #1
Formulate guidelines and policies that meet federal regulations, incorporate the ethical concerns of the entire University community, and reflect the particular needs of the University’s researchers (these guidelines and policies are to be approved by the President in consultation with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs);
Responsibility #2
Provides information to researchers as to the appropriate means for protecting the rights and welfare of subjects, securing the effective, free, informed consent of human subjects, and fulfilling federal, state, local, and University standards regarding human research.
Responsibility #3
Review all proposals for human research submitted to the Committee by faculty, student, or administrative researchers to assure concordance with the guidelines set forth in Volume II, Section 2.5.3 of the Policy Manual; and
Responsibility #4
Maintains adequate records, ensures confidentiality, and prepares a yearly report for the President on the research approved.
Forms and Applications
Before applying for IRB review, please visit the relevant links listed in the sections below or the sidebar for information about the types of review, the submission process, and other pertinent information.
Use the sidebar links for additional resources. If you have any questions about the IRB submission process, contact the current Chair of IRB at cmcervantes@htu.edu.
Each form is hyperlinked and will take you directly to a PDF file of the form after you click on the link
Forms
- HT IRB Application for Initial Research and Continuation Form
- HT IRB Study Proposal Template
- HT IRB Request for Exemption Form
- HT Institutional Review Board Continuing Review Request
- HT IRB Request for Exemption of Classroom Projects
- HT IRB Study Closure Form
- HT IRB Faculty Report of Classroom Projects
IRB Meeting Dates and Deadlines (Timing of the IRB Review Process)
The IRB committee meets the last Friday of each month during the regular semester and deadlines are two weeks prior unless otherwise noted. The length of review time depends on the type of review and whether the proposal is submitted during the school year or over the summer.
IRB meeting dates and proposal submission deadlines for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters are as follows:
Meeting Date
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a current turnaround time of 10 business days to review proposals and send investigators feedback. This is a rough estimate depending upon the type of proposal and the completeness of the proposal. Review could potentially take longer if revisions are needed.
Similar to full review applications, we have a rough estimate of 10 business days to review exempt requests.
Complete the HT IRB application, including all supporting documents (e.g., data collection instruments, consent forms, all recruiting materials, etc.), and a copy of the CITI or any other approved formal training in human subjects’ research for all investigators (i.e. anyone who is going to be involved in the research, not just the PI). You must submit everything at once to the Chair of the IRB committee at cmcervantes@htu.edu.
When there are human subjects involved, oversight may be needed. For further details to help you determine whether or not your research requires IRB oversight, click here. If you need further guidance or are still unsure, please contact the IRB Chair at cmcervantes@htu.edu for any questions.
For classroom projects involving human subjects research, please click here for guidance. If you believe a class assignment qualifies for exemption from IRB oversight, you will need to submit an “HT IRB Request for Exemption of Classroom Projects.” Ultimately, it is the decision of the IRB to determine if your project(s) qualify for an exemption or require IRB oversight. For additional guidance, click here to review the “Classroom Projects Involving Human Subjects Research Guidance for Faculty.”
The IRB committee does not meet during the summer. Anyone who is planning to begin data collection during the summer or early in the fall should ensure that the proposal is submitted by the last submission deadline in the fall or spring. Only under exceptional circumstances will proposals be reviewed during the summer. Please contact the Chair of the IRB at cmcervantes@htu.edu should you have additional questions.
Supportive and Informational Materials
What Reserach Needs to be Reviewd by the IRB
RB Types Levels of IRB Review
IRB_Submission-Process-and-Materials-Needed
HTIRB_Proposed-IRB-Categories-of-Research
IRB_Continuing-Review-of-IRB-Approved-Research
HTIRB_External-Studies-Institutional-Review-Board-Required
HTIRB_HSR-Triggers
HTIRB_HT-Research-PI-Criteria
HTIRB Internal Studies with Institutional Board Review
HTIRB Classroom Projects Involving Humans Faculty Guidance
