Dr. Rene Verry (Chair) 217-424-6398 - Shilling Hall 423-F

The Millikin IRB reviews ALL NON-EXEMPT research using human participants which is conducted at Millikin University, or under its auspices or control, by faculty, staff, and students. IRB review ensures the rights and welfare of human participants are adequately protected, and that legally effective informed consent has been obtained from participants. The Millikin IRB uses the ethical guidelines established by the Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46), professional organizations, and policies set forth in the University's Administrative Policies and Procedures for Research Involving Human Participants handbook. Research activities are classified according to 1 of 3 categories as describe below: (I) Exempt from IRB review, (II) Non-Exempt - Expedited IRB review, or (III) Non-Exempt - Standard IRB review.

To request a review, send an electronic copy of the completed review request form, the project description, and infromed consent form to rverry@millikin.edu. These forms are in rich text format and can be obtained from the addresses below:

Millikin IRB Review Request Form
Project Description & Informed Consent

Category I - Research Exempt From IRB Review:
Unless research is covered by other parts of this policy, research activities using human participants is exempt from IRB review if it falls into one of the following categories:

• research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices such as (a) research on regular and special education instructional strategies, or (b) research on the effectiveness of or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods, or
  
  
• research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), IF information taken from these sources is recorded in such a manner that participants CAN NOT be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the participants, or
  
  
• research involving survey or interview procedures, EXCEPT where ALL of the following conditions exist: (a) responses are recorded in such a manner that the human participants can be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the participants, (b) the participant's responses, if they became known outside the research, could reasonably place the participant at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the participant's financial standing or employability, AND (c) the research deals with sensitive aspects of the participant's own behavior, such as illegal conduct, drug use, sexual behavior, or use of alcohol. ALL research involving survey or interview procedures is exempt, without exception, when the respondents are elected or appointed public officials or candidates for public office, or
  
  
• research involving the observation (including observation by participants) of public behavior, EXCEPT where ALL of the following conditions exist: (a) observations are recorded in such a manner that the human participants can be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the participants, (b) the observations recorded about the individual, if they became known outside the research, could reasonably place the participant at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the participant's financial standing or employability, AND (c) the research deals with sensitive aspects of the participant's own behavior such as illegal conduct, drug use, sexual behavior, or use of alcohol, or
  
  
• research involving the collection or study of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, IF these sources are publicly available OR IF the information is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that participants CAN NOT be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the participants.

Category II - Research Eligible for Expedited Review:

• Renewals of Previously Approved Research:
  Expedited reviews of research proposals, previously approved by the Millikin IRB, are conducted by the IRB Chair as long as the research covered by the renewal request is an ongoing, previously approved project that has not changed, or has changed in a way that will not affect confidentiality or risk of harm to participants. Renewal requests must be annually submitted for expedited review by September 15 of each year. All continuing research must be annually reviewed to certify that no evidence of risk to human participants has surfaced (e.g., literature, debriefing feedback, participant complaints) since the initial review. The IRB always reserves the right to use a standard research review, if there is concern that changes in research procedures may compromise confidentiality or place the participant at more than minimal risk.
  
  
• Reviews of Minimal Risk Research:
  Expedited reviews of research proposals, that involve no more than minimal risk of physical or psychological harm or discomfort, are conducted by the IRB Chair, and one or more IRB members, with the stipulation that the subcommittee consists of persons from both scientific and non-scientific disciplines. The IRB subcommittee exercises all of the authority of the full IRB, except that the subcommittee may not reject a research proposal. If the IRB subcommittee recommends rejection of the research proposal, then the subcommittee must present their rationale to the full IRB at a regularly scheduled meeting, during which time a review of the research proposal will be conducted by the full IRB.

Category III - Full Review:

• All research involving human participants that falls into the categories of Non-Exempt review and may exceed minimal risk, is required to undergo a complete review by the full IRB at one of its regularly scheduled meetings. Research proposals approved by full review must also be submitted for annual reviewed by September 15 of each year.
  

IRB Webmaster: Dr. Rene' Verry. Last updated 8/17/08.