Roane State Community College
Institutional Effectiveness & Research
Institutional Review Board
What is the purpose of an IRB?
The purpose of the IRB is to ensure that research projects at Roane State are conducted in full compliance with federal regulations designed to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects. The IRB ensures that research participants’ risks are minimized and that there is informed and voluntary participation in research studies. For IRB purposes, minimal risk means that the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.
Am I required to follow RSCC's IRB Policy?
You might. If you are conducting research involving human subjects, including but not limited to pilot studies, interviews (in-depth or focus groups), surveys/questionnaires, observation, case studies, oral histories, or analysis of existing secondary data, you should examine RSCC Policy AA-06-01.
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