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Getting Started

Getting Started With the IRB

What is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and what purpose does it serve on Southern Adventist University’s campus?

The IRB facilitates the conduct of ethical academic research done by faculty, staff, and students across Southern's campus. All research projects involving human subjects or personal identifiers must be approved by the IRB to ensure compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies designed to protect the rights, welfare, and privacy of human subject participants. 

Research is defined as:  “A systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether they are conducted or supported under a program, which is considered research for other purposes.” (Code of Federal Regulations, 45 CFR 46.102d). 
A Human Subject means: “A living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or (2) identifiable private information.” (Code of Federal Regulations, 45 CFR 46.102f).

Common types of research done at Southern include graduate student theses and dissertations, undergraduate course assignment research, and faculty research projects. To determine whether a given research activity or project needs IRB approval, further guidance can be found in the IRB policy manual. Most research projects will require a Form A application to be submitted and approved by Southern's IRB before project initiation.

How do I receive IRB approval?

Once you have developed your research project proposal, you'll need to submit a completed application form to irb@southern.edu. The IRB committee will review your proposal and determine whether it meets standards for approval. More information on this process can be found on the Application Process page. 

Note: All student research must be approved by the student's faculty supervisor prior to IRB submission.

Do I need Academic Research Committee (ARC) approval in addition to IRB approval? 

The ARC assesses and awards funding to academic research conducted by Southern faculty. Faculty requesting research funding through the ARC must submit a separate research grant application to the ARC in addition to the research project application submitted to the IRB. Research projects must be approved by the IRB regardless of whether or not the research is funded.

Next Steps:

Completing an IRB Application

Download IRB Forms

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