Institutional Review Board

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All research conducted at Benedictine University which involves human or animal subjects must first be reviewed by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The mission of IRB is to assure that ethical guidelines for research are followed.

IRB reviews each research proposal and will either approve the proposal or make a formal request for changes to meet NIH and/or APA ethical guidelines for human subjects research. In cases of animal or other sensitive research, the proposal will be considered by a subcommittee designed specifically with that expertise. The committee consists of several faculty members representing all four colleges and a few community experts, most of whom engage in original research in addition to their academic responsibilities.

Applications for review of research are accepted by IRB at any time, and are reviewed by the committee typically on a two week turn around during the academic calendar year. Note that end of semester deadlines are the first Friday of the month for December and May. Applications received outside of the academic calendar year (during breaks) or sensitive and full board reviews are completed as time permits. Applicants are encouraged to access specific handbooks for advice in completing projects for specific research projects with the appropriate templates (consent forms, parent permission, institutional agreements, etc.)

Applying to IRB

  1. Click on the red button marked “IRB Online Application” (below)
  2. Once in the application, complete the checklist and application; upload all attachments as you complete the form.
  3. Utilize the “Save and Resume Later” link at the bottom of the form, and you may return to your application at a later time for modifications.
  4. Once the form is complete and all attachments are uploaded, click the “Submit to Advisor” button.
  5. Your application is routed directly to your ADVISOR (whatever email address you provided in the box you completed for advisor email) so he/she can approve it.
  6. Once your ADVISOR approves the application, the ADVISOR forwards it to [email protected]. A simple note of “this application meets my approval” is sufficient. Students care encouraged to check with advisors to be certain that it is forwarded in a timely manner.
  7. Once approved applications are received at IRB, they are routed to a subcommittee. Feedback can be expected within two weeks during the academic calendar. Outside of the academic calendar, or on breaks, reviews may take additional time. If revisions are recommended, the two week turn around process restarts from the time IRB receives materials from advisors and/or students.

Alandra Devall, Ph.D.
Professor, Teacher Education Preparation
IRB Chair
630-829-6295
[email protected]

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