Institutional Review Board (IRB) Home

IRB Responsibility Matrix

Please consult the following for staff contacts regarding IRB inquiries:

• IRB (Institutional Review Board) - For questions, inquiries, modification requests, and other issues regarding the IRB, please contact Interim IRB Administrator Rebecca Rinehart - rebecca.rinehart@uni.edu (please CC sean.parrish@uni.edu).

• IRB Submissions & Training - To submit new study applications (including Standard and Existing Data applications, K-12 and Oral History forms) or for questions about IRB training, please contact rsp@uni.edu.

• IACUC (Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee) - For all questions about animal care on campus and/or the IACUC, please contact IACUC Chair David McClenahan - david.mclenahan@uni.edu.

• RIO (Research Integrity Officer) - To report questionable research practices or incidences of observed or suspected misconduct, please contact the UNI RIO, Associate VP of Research Jennifer Waldron - jennifer.waldron@uni.edu.

• Other -  For all other questions on any topic not covered above, please contact the Director of RSP Tolif Hunt - tolif.hunt@uni.edu.

Face-to-Face (F2F) Research During COVID-19 (updated June 9, 2021)

Face-to-Face research is permissible with IRB approval, and all research on campus other than high risk research (see below) should follow current campus guidance found at https://forwardtogether.uni.edu/.

Data collection off-campus must follow local public health guidance and facility requirements. A description of the COVID-19 risk mitigation measures must be included on the consent form/assent form/parental permission form.

Resuming F2F data collection that was paused due to COVID-19, or changing study procedures to conform to current guidance, may require submission of an Assurance Form or an email modification request. Please consult the decision chart below. Email modification requests should be sent to Rebecca Rinehart, Interim IRB Administrator at rebecca.rinehart@uni.edu (please CC sean.parrish@uni.edu) for review and approval before being implemented. 

Please note: Participants cannot be asked about their vaccination status or be required to wear masks, unless determined by a hazard assessment. Researchers may encourage that non-vaccinated individuals wear masks.

• Face-to-Face Research During COVID-19: Decision Chart

• Face-to-Face Research During COVID-19: Assurance Form

High-risk F2F data collection means a high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of COVID-19, including:

• Aerosol-generating procedures
  • Exercising (e.g., VO2 max)
  • Inducing cough, sneeze, or strong exhale (e.g., spirometer)
• Specimen collection that may generate a cough or a sneeze
• Contact with individuals who have or were exposed to COVID-19

Researchers who are planning to initiate high-risk F2F data collection must contact David Oesterle, UNI Environmental Health and Safety, extension 3-7491, to complete a hazard assessment to be included with the IRB application or modification request. The IRB determines whether the study can be approved.

Information about the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Protections for Human Research Participants

IRB Training

IRB Forms and Samples

IRB Members

IRB Meeting Schedule

IRB Policies and Procedures

I. Administration

Background and Principles
Governmental Oversight and Regulations
IRB Scope and Authority
Noncompliance
Roles and Responsibilities (Institution and IRB)
Board Composition
IRB Meetings

II. IRB Review Process and Considerations

III. After Approval

Continuing Review and Project Closure
Study Modifications
Reporting Problems

General Questions

You have submitted your IRB Application. What happens next? (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Researchers

Questions concerning processing of IRB protocols or research projects involving human subjects should be directed to the Interim IRB Administrator Rebecca Rinehart, rebecca.rinehart@uni.edu.