Human Research (IRB)
Firefighters test themselves in CRESE (Center for Research and Education in Special Environments) which provides a unique facility for researchers in multiple fields.
UB's Human Research Protection Program protects the rights of research volunteers, guided by a 1964 World Medical Organization declaration: "In research on man, the interest of science and society should never take precedence over considerations related to the well-being of the subject."
All Continuing Renewals will need to be submitted as Modifications/CR. Also under Modifications select both “Study team member information” and “Other parts of the study”.
To help protect volunteers, investigators must complete training and receive project approval from a university Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning their work.
- The IRBs, comprised of faculty peers and community members, can approve, modify or reject proposed research based on its perceived risks and benefits to prospective subjects.
- IRBs review the studies at least annually and may modify or suspend the research if it decides that risks to subjects are greater than initially understood.
- Individuals planning quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) projects can complete the “QA/QI Self-Assessment Tool” and receive instant notification if the project is QA/QI or not. If a project is determined to be QA/QI, the project lead will receive an email that describes this determination, and that IRB review is not required. If your project does not meet criteria for QA/QI, the tool will guide you to appropriate next steps. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the “University at Buffalo Guidance on Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Projects” included in the assessment tool to learn more about what constitutes QA/QI, in order to prevent non-compliance if a project is later determined to constitute Human Research.
IRB Submission Guidelines
-- The Institutional Review Boards will not review incomplete protocols.
-- The IRB staff determines when the protocols are complete and ready for the agenda. They encourage researchers to submit early, allowing for pre-review and updates.
-- The official review of a completed proposal takes about two months, so please plan accordingly.
Submitting IRB documents
Please allow two months for your documents to be reviewed and approved, so submit accordingly.
Click and OnCore Training
Register for Click or OnCore systems training.
Compliance Training
Many federal and institutional compliance regulations require training, both in person and/or online, often before you are allowed to begin your research.