The purpose of the Virginia Western Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to ensure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in research studies conducted by or with Virginia Western Community College employees or students or on Virginia Western campuses.
The IRB does not assume the role of evaluating the soundness of the proposed research study, the merits of the research design, nor the potential contribution of the research to the scholarly literature. The IRB is charged with evaluating each project’s compliance with ethical standards in regard to issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and any risk to the participants.
Handbook materials reviewed and updated October 2019.
Institutional Review Board Overview
Researchers: Getting Started
Step 1: Is it research on human subjects?
Step 2: Understand your responsibilities and the IRB approval process.
Step 3: Submit documentation of your training on Human Subjects Protection.
Step 4: Complete and submit your IRB Application.
Step 5: Submit all other required materials to ie@virginiawestern.edu, including:
- IRB application AND approval from primary IRB, if applicable
- Copies of proposed research materials (surveys, focus group questions, participant solicitation materials, etc.)
- Sample Informed Consent Form
Step 6: WAIT to get approval before starting your research.
Researchers: Later Steps
What if I need to change my research procedures?
- Submit a Modification of Research Request.
What if unexpected things happen? (Definition of adverse/unanticipated events)
- Submit an Adverse or Unanticipated Event Report.
What if my approval will expire before my research is entirely done?
- Submit an Extension Request.
FINAL STEP: Complete the Close Out Report at the end of your research.
IRB Members
Contact Us
ie@virginiawestern.edu
Fishburn Hall F110
Address:
3093 Colonial Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24015