Overview
Research involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before any aspects of the research commence. SIUE has 2 IRBs; the Social Behavioral IRB (SBIRB), and the Clinical IRB (CIRB). The Clinical IRB (CIRB) will review projects from Dental Medicine, Kinesiology, Nursing, and Pharmacy. All other areas of study will be reviewed by the Social Behavioral IRB (SBIRB). Both IRBs are composed of faculty scientists, faculty non-scientists, and a non-SIUE affiliated member from the community, all of whom work together to protect of the rights, welfare and wellbeing of human subject research participants.
IRB Review Procedure: As it is impossible to determine exactly how long a review will take, an approximate timeline for an exempt review may be 1 to 3 weeks, an expedited review may be 3 to 4 weeks, and a full board review may be 3 to 6 weeks or longer.
STEP 1
Determine if your project requires IRB review: Consider the following 2 definitions. If your project fits both definitions, you will need IRB review:
- Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge (generlalizable knowledge is described as activities intended to be presented at regional, national or international meetings and/or published in an academic/peer-reviewed journal or a non-peer reviewed format intended to influence behavior, theory, or experimental design).
- Human subject means a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains data.
However, the following activities are deemed NOT to be research and therefore do not need IRB Review:
- Journalistic activities such as oral history, journalism and biography
- Public health surveillance activities
- Collection and analysis of information for criminal justice purpose
- Activities in support of national security missions
For a more detailed description of research definitions, click here.
STEP 2
Complete Required Training: In addition to the IRB review process, you, the investigator, and all other investigators on the project, are required to complete mandatory human subjects training before you can receive IRB approval. See the Compliance Training webpage for details.
STEP 3
Log into the Kuali Online IRB Protocol System to create and submit your protocol. Once logged in click "Protocols" in the blue box at the top of the page. Click here for instructions on using the online submission system.
Faculty may direct their students to the SandBox Practice Site to create protocols in the offline system for teaching purposes only. These protocols are not live and will NOT be reviewed by the IRB. This site will allow students, faculty, and staff to learn the system before submitting a protocol in Kuali for IRB review.
STEP 4
If student-initiated (student PI) research could result in the physical, mental, or emotional harm of a person or physical damage to property, the student will need to obtain insurance and provide proof of that insurance to the Compliance Coordinator prior to protocol approval.
The SIU Risk Management Office provides information regarding potential sources of insurance and the required coverage.
For questions, contact SIU Legal Counsel (Jennifer Wagner at jennwag@siue.edu or 618-650-2455) or SIU Risk Management at 618-536-3331.
STEP 5
Investigator Responsibilities following IRB approval: You must carry out the research as specified in your approved IRB protocol. Log into the Kuali Online IRB Protocol System if the following occur:
-
Modifications to your approved project must be submitted to the IRB for approval before they are implemented.
-
Annual reports are due to the IRB for all non-exempt projects deemed necessary by the IRB at time of approval.
-
Completion reports are due to the IRB for all non-exempt projects deemed necessary by the IRB at time of approval.
Contact the IRB by email at irbtraining@siue.edu if the following occur:
- Unanticipated Problems and/or Serious Adverse Events must be reported to the IRB in a timely manner.
