Policies for Roanoke College Researchers

Do I need to complete an IRB Application?

If the study meets the definition of research with human participants (detailed below), you must submit an IRB Form. Roanoke College's Federalwide Assurance (FWA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that all research being conducted under the auspices of this institution is subject to review and approval by the IRB. Written approval from the IRB must be in place before any interventions or interactions with human participants (e.g., recruitment) actually begin. 

Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities that meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy. 

Human subject means a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research:

(1) Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and uses, studies, or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or

(2) Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.