Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects

Institutional Review Board Overview

Human Subject research at Washington State University is coordinated through two Institutional Review Boards (IRBs): IRB for Social and Behavioral Research and IRB for Biomedical Research.  The Institutional Review Boards for WSU are responsible for the review and approval of all research activities involving human subjects.  The IRBs are charged with protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects to ensure all are treated physically, psychologically and socially in such a way as to minimize embarrassment and stress, and to avoid harm or other negative effects in compliance with the federal, state and university regulations.  All research activities involving human subjects conducted by WSU faculty, staff, and students must be approved by the IRBs regardless of the funding source or location and prior to initiating any portion of the activity.  It is especially important that graduate students who use data from human subjects for these and dissertations be fully aware of this policy.  Failure to comply with IRB review may make it impossible for these documents to be accepted by the Graduate School.  See the IRB website for guidance, training information, and additional IRB resources.

Committee Functions

• Review research proposals that involve human subjects to ensure that they are in keeping with existing policies and regulations
• Advise investigators on safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects
• Recommend policies for safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research projects, in accordance with state and federal regulations

Committee Composition

• The two  WSU Institutional Review Boards each shall have at least 5 members, with varying backgrounds to promote complete and adequate review of research activities commonly conducted by the institution:
  • At least 1 member whose primary concerns are in scientific areas and at least 1 member whose primary concerns are in non-scientific areas
  • At least 1 member who is not otherwise affiliated with the institution and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution
  • At least 1 physician
  • Director, Office of Research Assurances, and IRB coordinators may be members and serve
• Members will be predominantly faculty, however, WSU staff and graduate students may be members. Non-affiliated members may be any individual that enhances review of research projects.
• The IRBs shall be sufficiently qualified through the experience and expertise of its members to ascertain the acceptability of proposed research in terms of institutional commitments and regulations, applicable law, and standards of professional conduct and practice.
• Individuals who are knowledgeable about and experienced in working vulnerable categories of subjects, such as children, prisoners, pregnant women, or handicapped or mentally disabled persons will be included in the WSU IRBs.
• The IRBs may not have a member participate in the IRBs’ initial or continuing review of any project in which the member has a conflicting interest, except to provide information requested by the IRBs.
• The WSU IRBs may, at its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the review of issues which require expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the IRBs. These individuals may not vote with the IRBs.

Committee Tenure

IRB members will be appointed for 3-year terms. The chair shall be appointed by the president upon recommendation of the vice president for research. Members are recommended to the president by the vice president for research.

Responsible to the president through the vice president for research.