Research Ethics Review Board (RERB)
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Immaculata University is committed to the ethical principles as outlined in its mission statement and in the federal guidelines and procedures that safeguard the rights of human subjects who participate in research conducted under its aegis.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Research Ethics Review Board (RERB) is to protect the rights of human subjects who voluntarily participate in research. The goal of the RERB is to implement Immaculata University’s guidelines, policies, and procedures and to be in compliance with the guidelines, policies, and regulations of the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). The RERB seeks to guide researchers in the ethical treatment and protection of human subjects by carefully reviewing all protocol submissions and through the use of informed consent documentation.

Immaculata University’s RERB is responsible to review all research protocols involving human subjects conducted by faculty, students, and staff or researchers from outside agencies who request the use of Immaculata populations.

Research Protocol Review by RERB

Title 45 CFR Part 46 provides the principles for the RERB to follow in reviewing human subject research. The RERB has the authority to approve, require modification of a protocol submission to secure approved status, or disapprove any or all activities related to the proposed research study.

The RERB notifies researchers in writing of the decision to approve or disapprove a proposed research activity, or conditionally approve a protocol with modifications required to secure final RERB approval of the research activity. If the RERB disapproves a research proposal, the researcher is notified in writing with the reasons for its decision, and the RERB provides the researcher with an opportunity to respond in writing or in person.

Contact Information

Marcia Parris, Ed.D.
Chair, Research Ethics Review Board
mparris@juliascreativecorner.com

Guidelines for Research Using Immaculata Populations

All research to be conducted at Immaculata University requires the initial review and approval of the appropriate dean(s), administrators, and faculty members. The following guidelines are to be observed regarding internal and external requests for research using Immaculata populations.

  1. The proposed study must be submitted with a brief, written request to the Dean for Academic Affairs. This request must be in the form of a letter that includes: purpose of the study, for whom the study is being prepared (institution, program and/or class), population(s) involved, projected timeline of the study, the benefits of the study for Immaculata, the faculty moderator for the study, design of the study, and student contact information. The Dean will review the research request and determine its appropriateness for Immaculata University.
  2. Upon the request’s approval by the Dean, the student or researcher must submit to the RERB a written protocol to conduct research using populations affiliated in any way with Immaculata University. The research protocol and any materials to be distributed must be submitted along with documentation reflecting the academic affiliation of the researcher (i.e. a letter from the faculty moderator on letterhead from the University).
  3. These materials must pass the review process affiliated with any research conducted by students attending Immaculata University, which includes but is not restricted to the RERB.
  4. If the research is approved by the RERB, a recommendation will be forwarded to the appropriate Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA).  The VPAA must approve all research to be conducted by parties outside of Immaculata University.
  5. The recommendation of the vice president is forwarded to the president, who makes the final decision whether the research may be conducted using populations directly associated with Immaculata University.
  6. Copies of final approvals will be sent to the chair of the RERB within a 60-day period from the initial submission of materials to the Dean of Academic Affairs. However, outside research initiatives will not be given priority over the review of materials and activities directly connected with the institution.

Resources

Guidance for Student Research & Class Projects

View the Guidance here

Meeting Dates

Protocol submissions are accepted for review the 10th of every month. Protocols must be received by 5 p.m. on the 10th of the submission month. The board decisions may take 3-4 weeks from that date. Please note that it is recommended that December protocols are submitted using the online form. Researchers may expect delays in decisions for December protocols submitted in hard copy.

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