The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is a multi-disciplinary committee that reviews research involving human subjects in order to ensure that the rights and welfare of human subjects are protected. Federal law and LECOM policy mandates that all medical, educational and social/behavioral research involving human subjects must receive IRB approval prior to the start of the research. If your proposed research involves collecting data from human subjects (including interviews or surveys), you will need to follow the IRB process to obtain IRB approval for your project.

There are a variety of forms available, and their use depends on the nature of the study and where it is in its life cycle. People new to the IRB process might benefit from reviewing the LECOM Standard Operating Procedures document. Forms may change without notice, and old forms will not be accepted after some period of time. Investigators are strongly advised to utilize this LECOM IRB website to download a current form each time you need to submit to the LECOM Human Subjects IRB.

The IRB application process is not as intimidating as it seems. If at any time you have questions, please contact the LECOM Office of Research at (814) 866-8142.

Links

• Application forms and templates
• Is this human subjects research?
• IRB Review Process
• Glossary of terms
• Support and assistance