All research activities involving human subjects conducted by faculty, staff, or students at the University of Central Arkansas are under the review and approval jurisdiction of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). This includes research development, preliminary investigation, pilot studies, testing and evaluation, interviews, observation, and surveys designed to contribute to generalizable knowledge.
In addition, all research involving University of Central Arkansas students, faculty, or staff conducted by an outside party is under the review and approval jurisdiction of UCA’s IRB. It is the responsibility of the principal investigator to submit proposed research for approval in a timely manner and before recruiting subjects or collecting data.
The IRB has the responsibility and authority to perform the following actions:
- Approve, disapprove, or modify the research protocol as it pertains to human subjects.
- Conduct continuing review of research.
- Observe / verify changes.
- Suspend or terminate approval.
The main function of the IRB review is to assure that…
- Risks are minimized and are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits.
- There is informed consent.
- Rights and welfare of subjects are maintained.
- Research complies with federal and state laws and requirements.
Ethical principles guiding the IRB review are based on the 1979 Belmont Report. This report sets forth three basic principles for conducting research involving human subjects as follows:
- Respect for persons involves a recognition of the personal dignity and autonomy of individuals, and special protection of those persons with diminished autonomy.
- Beneficence entails an obligation to protect persons from harm by maximizing anticipated benefits and minimizing possible risks of harm.
- Justice requires that the benefits and burdens of research be distributed fairly.