Institutional Review Board

The Fairmont State University IRB reviews research involving the use of human participants.

You should seek IRB research approval if you are an administrator, faculty, staff, or student who intends to conduct research that might be associated in any way with Fairmont State University or you intend to conduct research on any Fairmont State campus. 

The definition of research is taken from the Code of Federal Regulations Title 45 Public Welfare part 46 Protection of Human Subjects 46.102.

Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program which is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities.

Interpretation of this definition was provided by the Director of the Division of Human Subject Protections.

An institution becomes "engaged" in human subjects research when its employees or agents1 (i) intervene or interact with living individuals for research purposes; or (ii) obtain individually identifiable private information for research purposes [45 CFR 46.102(d),(f)]. Please read the linked document for examples.

Procedures for seeking IRB approval

1. Determination of need for approval. Read linked Human Subject Decision Charts.
2. Completion of IRB application form.
3. To ensure safety standards regarding COVID-19 are met, the Covid-19 Precautions for Research Study form must be completed if your research study involves face to face contact with research subjects at any stage in the study
4. Completion of Informed Consent form (the attached is a template identifying all required components).
5. Completion of human subjects training. This is an online training program offered through CITI training.
6. Submission of all documents including signed assurance to the current chair of the FSU IRB.
7. Approvals can take between 7 and 30 days depending on the level of approval required by the submission. You will be contacted by the chair.

All documents submitted to the IRB are maintained in the office of the IRB Chair.

A copy of the Fairmont State IRB policy is attached here.  All submissions can be found in the annual summary reports filed with the faculty senate.

Joshua Smallridge PH.D. Chair, Fairmont State University Institutional Review Board
Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
Department of Social Sciences
110L Hardway Hall
304-367-4740
jsmallridge@fairmontstate.edu