Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The IRB's purpose is to regulate all research activities involving human subjects, ensuring that people who participate in research are treated ethically and in compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations. Before research begins, please take some time to familiarize yourself with the background, training, and policies & procedures necessary for conducting research with human subjects. A more complete list of requirements for researchers can be found on the website for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

IRB Applications and Forms

• Exempt or Expedited Application for Use of Human Participants in Research
• Request for Protocol Modification and/or Continuation Review
• Oversight Screening Form for Graduate Student Research
• Unaffiliated Investigator Agreement Form
• Instructions for filling out IRB application

Guidance on Conducting Research with Human Subjects & Review Procedures

• Guidance on Informed Consent
• Model of an Informed Consent Form
• Model of an Anonymous Survey Consent Statement
• Model of a Parental Permission Form
• Model of a Verbal Assent Script for Children ages 5-12
• Guidance on Anonymity and Confidentiality
• Memo from IT: Data Storage - External Storage Devices
• Guidance on Research Involving Prisoners
• Internal Research Review Requirements for Georgia Public School Districts
• Payment Procedures for Participants
  • Guidelines for the Use of Drawings for Prizes as an Incentive for Research Participation
• For assistance in determining the type of review needed for your proposal, see the Human Subject Regulations Decision Charts

Valdosta State University's Institutional Review Board

• Board Members
• Board Meeting Dates
• Tools for IRB Members and Faculty Advisors
• IRB Orientation PowerPoint Slides
• Contact the IRB

Valdosta State University's Institutional Policies

• Institutional Policy for the Protection of Human Research Participants
• IRB Jurisdiction Policy
• IRB's Policy & Procedures for Addressing Allegations of Non-Compliance

Human Research Ethics: Background & Training

• The Belmont Report
• Federal Regulations- Protection of Human Subjects (45 CFR 46)
• Disciplinary Codes of Ethics Referencing Research Involving Human Participants
• Required Training Program for all Faculty, Staff, and Student researchers
• Instructions for CITI Training Program- Human Research Ethics Training
• CITI Training Program