Academic Affairs
Institutional Review Board
Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and monitoring human subjects research.
- Human subjects are "living individual(s) 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" [Federal Regulation 45CFR.102(f)]
The IRB reviews and approves all research involving human subjects conducted at Salem State prior to beginning the research. This includes research conducted on or off campus by Salem State faculty, administration, staff or students, as well as others not affiliated with the university who wish to conduct research at the university. This applies whether the research is federally funded or not.
- Research is defined by federal regulations 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 polucy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program which is consdered research for other purposes." [Federal Regulation 45CFR.102(d)]
Oversight ensures that the ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects in research, as outlined in the Belmont Report and 45 CFR 46 of the Code of Regulations, is adhered to. We encourage you to take advantage of training materials on this website and to contact the IRB if you have any questions.
