Research that involves more than minimal risk to potential subjects requires full-board review at a convened meeting at which a quorum of IRB members is present. For the research to be approved, it must receive the approval of a majority of the members present.
The IRB schedules regular monthly meetings to review all protocols that do not fall into the Exempt or Expedited categories. The deadline for submitting protocols to the IRB for a full-board meeting is the first Wednesday of each month. The Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month (This may change due to the academic calendar). Should the IRB require revisions to the project, you will receive formal notification from the IRB director explaining the revisions required before your research can be approved. The review process may require up to one month after it is received by the IRB. You may wish to consult with a member of the IRB staff or Board member prior to submitting your proposal.
Although the use of vulnerable persons as subjects is not prohibited by federal regulation, justification for involving vulnerable persons in research generally becomes more difficult as the degree of risk and vulnerability increases.
Furthermore, because certain populations of vulnerable subjects may be at greater risk than others, the IRB will take into consideration the potential risk characterization of subjects. Victims of child abuse, spouse abuse or assault, for example, may be at increased risk in sociological or psychological studies.
