Alabama's Public Liberal Arts University

Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects

 

Introduction


All research involving human or animal subjects conducted by either faculty or students under the direction of a faculty advisor, must receive approval from HASRC prior to any data collection. The University of Montevallo requires that studies identified as exempt based on Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 46 must still be reviewed by HASRC prior to designating them exempt, but full committee review is not required. Research conducted on campus by individuals affiliated with other institutions, must be reviewed and approved by HASRC. Assistance in the selection of the appropriate application process is located in the Procedures section.


These regulations do not relate to those activities within the classroom which are utilized as demonstrations and/or for learning purposes. Ethical guidelines must still be followed in all demonstrations and activities, even if there is no intent to conduct research. Please review the APA guidelines for more information. Should the professor decide at a later date to utilize the aggregate data collected during such a demonstration for research purposes, it will then be necessary for the professor to obtain IRB approval prior to use of the data.


Beginning in the spring semester of 2010, all student and faculty researchers must participate in research ethics training before they are eligible to submit protocols for review. Because approved protocols are required prior to collecting data, all researchers must pass the research ethics test before they can submit protocols or collect data.

Purpose

The Institutional Review Board for the University of Montevallo is the Human and Animal Subjects Research Committee (HASRC). It has been established in compliance with Federal Regulations and guidelines concerning experimentation involving animal and human subjects (45 C.F.R. Part 46, Protection of Human Subjects). The purpose of HASRC is to provide review of all research conducted by faculty, staff, and students to insure protection of both animal and human subjects, and compliance with the federal regulations.

Scope


All research conducted by either faculty or students under the direction of a faculty adviser, and involving human or animal subjects must receive approval from the HASRC. When conducting cooperative research which involves more than one institution, each institution is responsible for safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects and for complying with this policy. When a member of the University of Montevallo faculty is involved in cooperative research, that faculty member is responsible for obtaining approval through HASRC. Any research involving vulnerable populations (fetuses, pregnant women, or prisoners) may require additional approvals. Thus, all researchers are referred to the OPRR Reports Protection of Human Subjects Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 46 for additional information.

Overview & Membership


HASRC has a relatively stable membership so that members who develop expertise in research ethics and review can continue to improve their knowledge and understanding of the complexities of conducting and reviewing studies. Membership consists of one person from the community with expertise in ethical issues and representation from each school which conducts research involving human subjects, specifically:

Human and Animal Subjects Research Committee

Committee Member

Term

Position

John Burling

2009-2012

CAS & Chair

Jenifer Moore

2007-2010

COE

Mike Hardig

2008-2011

CAS

Davinderjit Bagga

2008-2011

CAS

Sherry Ford

2008-2011

CAS

"Buddy" Freeman

2009-2010

Community Representative

Tracy Payne

2009-2012

McNair Scholars Program & Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors-Ex-Officio

Michelle Johnston

2009-2012

Vice President for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness

Megan Traweek

2009-2010

Student Representative