IRB Contact: Sena Lim, Human Research Protection Program Manager
COVID-19 Resources for Research
Find information and resources for research during COVID-19.
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The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a peer-review committee charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights and welfare of humans involved in research. Ball State follows the ethical principles laid out by the Belmont Report (PDF). Ball State University's IRB subscribes to the "Common Rule" for the protection of human subjects found in 45 CFR 46.
The IRB reviews and approves all of Ball State's research protocols involving human subjects in order to ensure compliance with laws and national standards regarding the ethical treatment of human subjects. The researcher must attain IRB approval before conducting a study involving human subjects. Annual resubmission must be completed for projects of more than 12 months duration. IRB protocols are submitted using IRBNet.
UPDATE: CHANGES TO PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR (PI) OF RECORD ELIGIBILITY
Beginning July 1, 2021, all PIs on IRB protocols must be BSU faculty and professional staff members. Click here for more information or download (PDF).
UPDATE: NEW APPLICATION SYSTEM -- IRBNeT WIZARD (SMART) APPLICATION
The BSU IRB is pleased to announce that it will be implementing an IRBNET Wizard (SMART) form, an electronic-based application form for new projects. The Wizard application form will replace the current IRB Application form. The Wizard Application form will go live on the IRBNet on July 12, 2021 and will be available for researchers on July 15, 2021. The transition period between the old and new application will last until September 30, 2021. Starting October 1st, only the new application form will be accepted. For more information view the new Wizard Submission Form and IRB Submission Checklist.
COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR HSR
Levels of Review
There are three risk levels at which the IRB reviews research:
- Exempt (studies posing less than minimal risk)
- Expedited (studies posing minimal risk)
- Full Board (studies posing greater than minimal risk)
The amount of potential risk to participants and the participant population determine the type of review. The IRB at Ball State University is the only entity that can determine which kind of review is necessary for your research proposal.
Since researchers are not able to determine which kind of review is necessary for themselves, we recommend researchers submit their protocols via IRBNet at least one month before the research project will begin. This gives adequate time for review.
For one-on-one help with research design, be sure to check out BSU's Research Design Studio. The graduate students and faculty there can help you design a sound research project, as well as provide advice on proper qualitative and quantitative methodologies. For one-one-one help with submitting an IRB protocol, visit our office during the graduate assistants' Peer Mentoring hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Sena Lim, Human Research Protection Program Manager or Sandra Currie, Research Integrity Administrative Coordinator.