Institutional Review Board - Research - Western University of Health Sciences

Research

Institutional Review Board

Persons conducting research involving human subjects have an ethical as well as professional obligation to ensure the safety, protection, and rights of participants. It is the intent of Western University, through the IRB and the Office of the Vice President for Research, to assist investigators engaged in human subject research to conduct their research along ethical guidelines reflecting professional as well as community standards. This institution recognizes its duty and obligation to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects of research, regardless of the source of funding.

Western University of Health Sciences has an obligation to ensure that all research involving human subjects meets regulations established by the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It is not the intent of the university, the IRB, or the Office of the Vice-President of Research to interfere in any way with competent, ethical, and sound research involving human subjects. However, there exists an obligation and a requirement for all parties involved to ensure that the university and its personnel comply with regulations governing human subject research. It is important for us all to observe the "spirit" as well as the "letter" of these regulations, since how we conduct research involving human subjects reflects on our professional, personal, and community commitments to rigorous ethical and scientific standards of conduct.

The IRB strives to deliver the best possible service regarding review of research involving human subjects. The IRB invites input from investigators and interested parties regarding revisions and updates to guidelines and procedures governing human subject research. Where possible and appropriate, changes in IRB-related activity will incorporate these recommendations to develop a streamlined and effective system of review and assurance regarding an ethical and professional environment for human subject research.

Last Updated:05/24/2009

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