Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Institutional Review Board (IRB) - Morningside College 

 

Introduction

The use of Institutional Review Boards (IRB) began in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) when a memorandum issued in 1966 required that investigators receiving funding from public health grants obtain a review of research by a committee of institutional associates.

The Morningside College IRB is charged with reviewing all studies involving human subjects for compliance with both college policies and with state, local, and federal laws. The IRB also ensures that all studies comply with the ethical principles contained in the Belmont Report, such as respect for people, beneficence, and justice. All institutions engaged in human subjects research that is not exempt from 45CFR46, and is conducted or supported by any HHS agency must be covered by an Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)-approved assurance of compliance.  

The role of the Morningside College IRB is to review all proposed research involving human subjects to ensure that subjects are treated ethically and that their rights and welfare are adequately protected. All research-related projects involving humans as subjects must be reviewed and approved by the Morningside College IRB prior to implementation, including recruitment and screening activities. All studies (whether exempt or non-exempt) require specific file submissions and IRB approval prior to implementation. This applies to all research, even if the researcher believes that there are no risks to those who participate in their study.

The IRB Submission Process

You may not proceed with your (exempt/nonexempt) research until you have IRB approval. It is very important to read through the instructions and information thoroughly expedites the time it takes the committee to review your proposal. Please view this overview of the IRB.

 

Step 1: Research Ethics Training

Documentation of research ethics training is a requirement for all types of human research (exempt and non-exempt).

First-time research ethics training

Morningside College IRB is currently endorsing Training and Resources in Research Ethics Evaluation (TRREE) for research ethics training. You must complete 2 modules of the training and pass each quiz to obtain 2 separate certificates of completion.

1 - Introduction to Research Ethics

3.1 - Informed Consent

  • Before starting your training, it will be helpful to review this short tutorial on how to access TREE  CLICK HERE to review theTRREE tutorial.
  • CLICK HERE to access the TRREE  (https://elearning.trree.org/).
  • Save your certificates to your computer. Make sure they are clearly labeled with the module content. E.g: Intro to research ethics certificate, research ethics evaluation certificate, and informed consent certificate.
  • Upload the two certificates to your user profile on IRBNet®.
  • Link the two certificates (upload to your profile) to your research project per IRBNet instructions.

Past research ethics training

  • Training certificates are valid for five years. If your research ethics training is more than five years OR will expire within the timeframe of this project, you will need to complete a new training program (see first-time training section above).
  • Upload your certificate(s) to your user profile on IRBNet® (see Step 2 to register in IRBNet®).
  • Link the certificate(s) (uploaded to your profile in previous step) to your research project per IRBNet® instruction. 

Step 2: IRBNet registration

New IRB Registration

  • Review the IRBNet® new registration and project submission tutorials.
  • Please self-register with IRBNet and select "Morningside College IRB" as your affiliated institution. CLICK HERE  to access IRBNet.org.
  • You will "share" your project with your entire research team (students - this includes your project director).
  • If you have difficulty registering with IRBNet® or with the submission process, please contact IRBNet Support at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or email the IRB Chair (listed below under Contact Information).

Existing IRBNet Registration

  • If you already have an IRBNet® account from another institution, use that account and add Morningside College IRB as an additional affiliation.

Step 3: Research Status Determination

Step 4: Complete the IRB Submission Form

Step 5: Uploading Documents

Step 6: Finalizing the submission

  • Before you submit your documentation, please review the IRB Reviewer Rubric. This is the rubric the IRB committee reviewers will use to evaluate your submission. Make sure you address all of the essential criteria. CLICK HERE to view the IRB Reviewer Rubric
  • To complete your submission:
    • STUDENTS ONLY: Have your faculty advisor review your completed submission form AND associated supporting documents (e.g. informed consent form, questionnaire/protocol to be used, etc.) on IRBNet®. Revise and re-submit to your faculty advisor as needed, until they approve of your proposed project. When they approve, they should electronically “sign” the “package” on IRBNet® (their electronic signature should be made AFTER your electronic signature). Then submit your project via IRBNet. You may not proceed with your (exempt/nonexempt) research until you receive IRB approval.
    • FACULTY/STAFF ONLY: electronically “sign” the “package” and submit on IRBNet. You may not proceed with your (exempt/nonexempt) research until you receive IRB approval.
  • You should receive information back from the IRB via IRBNet® once the submission has been reviewed.This process can take up to two weeks.
  • If revisions are needed,

    • Make the requested revisions. STUDENTS: work with your faculty advisor to address the revisions.

      • Go back to your original IRBNet® project (it will still be locked).

      • From the home page of your project, click on “Create a new package” from the left hand pane (DO NOT create a new project!).

      • Upload ONLY the newly revised documents (do not re-upload documents that the reviewers did not request changes).

      • Sign and submit your package when the above are completed
        STUDENTS must request the Faculty Sponsor to review and sign it before submitting.

         

(Step 7): Revisions (if needed AFTER project is accepted by the IRB)

In the future, after the submission is reviewed and accepted by the IRB, if you need to revise your submission (because the IRB requests revisions or you want to propose changes to your study), you will open your “project” on IRBNet® but within that project, you will submit a new “package” where you will submit the Extension or Change Request Form . Please see IRBNet® tutorial.

CLICK HERE to open the IRB Extension or Change Request Form

Congratulations, you have submitted your research to the IRB!

Other IRB Process information

To view other IRB processes, including review processes, please refer to the IRB Process Information pages

Quick Links for Resources

 


 

 

IRBNet Help and External Links

Tutorial Documents and Videos

IRBNet provides assistance with the IRBNet system. Please review the IRBNet new registratioin and project submission tutorials

  • VIP: you are using windows, you must MUST use the EDGE browser to access IRBnet training before you click on the link. Mac users should be able to access the training directly by clicking the link.
  • Researchers need to use the following Institutional Login. CLICK HERE and log in.
  • Username: morningside
  • Password: training1

Note: the following resources are under revision and are not fully updated

NOTE: Videos should open in a new window

IRB Members

  • Dr. Dianna Sorenson, IRB Chair
  • Dr. Aaron Bunker
  • Dr. Anni Moore
  • Dr. Tangela Sylvester
  • Dr. Daniel Wubbena
  • Mr. Jacob Stevenson - Student Services Staff Member, 
  • Ms. Sarah Sorenson, external member
  • Dr. Alden Stout, administration

Contact Information

Dr. Dianna Sorenson - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)