Albertus Magnus College recognizes the importance of research involving human participants in advancing knowledge and enriching the academic community. The College is committed to ensuring that research conducted under its auspices protects the rights, dignity, safety, and welfare of research participants and follows applicable federal regulations and ethical standards.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) provides oversight of research involving human participants conducted by Albertus faculty, staff, students, and, when applicable, outside researchers. The IRB reviews research to ensure that participants are treated fairly and respectfully and that appropriate protections are in place throughout the research process.
Our Mission
The Albertus IRB supports ethical research by ensuring that:
- Research methods and procedures follow established ethical standards.
- Potential risks and benefits are identified and appropriately evaluated.
- Risks to participants are minimized and reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits and significance of the research.
- Participants are equitably selected, recruited, and treated.
- Participants receive appropriate information about their participation and provide informed consent, or an approved waiver of consent is used when applicable.
- Appropriate protections are in place for participants' privacy, anonymity, and confidentiality.
The IRB's work is guided by the ethical principles of the Belmont Report and applicable federal regulations, including Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects).
Researcher Resources
Whether you are beginning a new research project or preparing an IRB submission, myAlbertus is your starting point for IRB resources. There you will find applications, forms, templates, submission information, guidance, and other materials to help you navigate the review process.
If you have questions about whether your project requires IRB review or need help understanding the process, contact IRB@albertus.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about IRB review, student research, informed consent, participant protections, and getting your project approved.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research involving human participants to help protect their rights, safety, privacy, and welfare. At Albertus, the IRB oversees applicable research conducted by students, faculty, staff, and outside researchers.
The IRB helps ensure that research conducted under the auspices of Albertus follows ethical standards and applicable federal regulations. The review process considers the potential risks and benefits of research, the equitable treatment of participants, informed consent, and protections for participants’ privacy and confidentiality.
The Belmont Report identifies three fundamental ethical principles for research involving human participants: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. These principles guide the ethical review of research involving human participants.
Research may involve human participants when a researcher systematically collects information through interaction or intervention with living individuals or obtains identifiable private information about them. If you are unsure whether your project involves human participants, consult the IRB Decision Table on myAlbertus or contact the IRB.
If your project involves human participants and is intended to contribute to generalizable knowledge, it may require IRB review. IRB approval must be obtained before beginning research activities that require review. Use the IRB Decision Table on myAlbertus to help determine whether your project requires review.
Not all student projects require IRB review. Many classroom activities involving human participants are conducted solely for educational purposes and do not constitute research requiring IRB oversight. Honors, independent, thesis, and other projects intended to contribute to generalizable knowledge may require review. When in doubt, consult the IRB Decision Table or contact the IRB.
Depending on the nature and risk of the project, research may be excluded, exempt, eligible for expedited review, or require full IRB review. The IRB Decision Table and review guidance on myAlbertus provide additional information about these categories.
Informed consent is the process through which potential research participants receive understandable information about a study, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and voluntary nature, so they can make an informed decision about participation. Consent forms, templates, and additional guidance are available on myAlbertus.
Researchers should take appropriate steps to protect participants’ identities and information. Research plans should address how information will be collected, stored, accessed, and reported. Guidance and resources for protecting participant privacy and confidentiality are available on myAlbertus.
If your project requires IRB review, you must receive IRB approval before beginning research activities involving human participants. This includes collecting research data. Changes to an approved project may also require IRB review before they are implemented.
Ready to Get Started?
Your research is an opportunity to ask meaningful questions, explore ideas, and contribute to your field while respecting the people who make that research possible.
Visit myAlbertus for IRB applications, forms, templates, submission information, and other research resources.
Not sure where to begin? Contact IRB@albertus.edu with questions about your project or the IRB review process. We're here to help you understand the requirements and identify your next step.