NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Institutional Review Board is updating some policies and procedures, according to IRB Director and Chair Dr. Jim Mischler. Faculty and students who are working with or will work with the IRB on their planned research projects this year should be aware of changes.
An institutional review board is a committee that applies research ethics by reviewing the methods proposed for research to ensure they are ethical. IRB approve, reject, monitor and review biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects.
“The IRB application process has gone through important changes for 2022-23 in order to make sure federal laws are followed when it comes to the health and welfare of a human subject,” Mischler explained. “Please review the new IRB Researcher Handbook carefully before submitted an application.”
Beginning Oct. 1, applications can be submitted online, rather than by email. The College of Nursing and Allied Health is piloting one portal while the rest of the university will use a separate portal through Moodle. A newly revised IRB Research Handbook provides details on the submission systems and a new IRB Office is now on the Natchitoches campus. A new website is also under construction but not fully updated.
In addition, Mischler said new members have been added to NSU’s IRB in order to get a wider variety of input from across campus. He would like to develop more contacts with individuals in the community to provide additional input on reviews.
For more information on NSU’s IRB, email irb@nsula.edu or call (318) 357-5228. Information is also available at www.nsula.edu/irb. The office is located in 215-C Teacher Education Center.
Until the website is complete, please address IRB questions directly to Mischler at mischlerj@nsula.edu.
