Institutional Review Board

Overview

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College exists to ensure that all research involving human participants is conducted ethically and responsibly, in accordance with federal regulations. The IRB’s primary role is to protect the rights, welfare, and privacy of individuals who participate in research studies.

The IRB reviews proposed research projects conducted by Rio Grande faculty, staff, and students, as well as research involving the institution and its students as research participants, to ensure that risks to participants are minimized, informed consent is obtained appropriately, and studies adhere to recognized ethical standards. By providing oversight, guidance, and approval for human subjects research, the IRB supports a culture of ethical inquiry while helping researchers conduct high-quality, compliant studies.

Does your project require IRB review?

The IRB must review and approve any project that involves human participants to ensure their rights, safety, and welfare are protected. In general, IRB review is required for:

  • Research involving direct interaction with people, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, behavioral observations, or interventions.
  • Studies collecting identifiable private information, including data that could reveal a person’s identity through records, images, or audio/video recordings. 
  • Projects that analyze previously collected human data, if the information is identifiable, or if the original consent does not cover the new use. 
  • Any research activity posing potential risk, even minimal, to participants requires ethical oversight to ensure risks are reasonable relative to the expected benefits. 
  • Studies requiring informed consent, in which participants must understand the purpose of the research, the procedures, and their rights before agreeing to take part. 

These requirements apply to faculty, staff, and student researchers conducting work on or off campus when human subjects are involved. Please email irb@rio.edu with any questions.

Refer to the decision trees below to determine if your project requires IRB review and, if so, what type of review is required.

  • Human Subject Regulations Decision Charts: 2018 Requirements at HHS.gov
  • IRB Research Type of Review Flowchart

Human Research Training

Human research training that has been completed within three (3) years of application is required for all investigators in a proposed research project. Free and paid training is available from various providers online. The Rio Grande IRB recommends the free training from HHS.gov:

Human Research Protection Foundational Training (lessons 1, 2, and 4)

Handbook and Fillable Forms

Rio Grande IRB Handbook
Form 1: Exempt Review Application
Form 2: Expedited and Full Review Application
Form 3: Adverse Event Report
Form 4: Modification/Continuation of Research Application
Form 5: Final Study Report
Consent Form
Consent Template for Online Study
Consent for Child, Ward, or Dependent Form
Consent for Child, Ward, or Dependent Template for Online Study
Assent Form
Assent Template for Online Study