To UTC Faculty:

As most of you know, the University has a standing committee charged with
the responsibility of reviewing all proposals for research involving human
subjects, to assure that the interests of those research subjects are
adequately protected. The human subjects committee, formally known as the
Institutional Review Board (IRB), plays an important role on every
university campus in the United States.

Here at UTC as our research activity has increased dramatically over the
past several years, we are finding it necessary to pay greater attention to
the policies and procedures followed by our IRB. Dr. Helen Eigenberg, Head
of the Department of Criminal Justice, serves as Chair of the IRB. Helen
convenes committee meetings and, where appropriate, conducts expedited
reviews of certain research proposals that qualify.

It is the responsibility of each faculty member engaged in research
involving human subjects to obtain IRB approval before beginning the
research. This is a critical point, as federal regulations do not permit
retroactive approval. The sanctions for conducting research with human
subjects without prior approval can be quite severe, including prohibition
of publishing or using the data in any way. Sanctions for student research
without prior approval can include withdrawal of approval of the student's
work product (which may in some cases mean denial of a degree for which the
research product served as a contribution, such as a master's thesis or
senior paper).

I cannot stress strongly enough that there is no human subjects research
that is exempt from the requirement of IRB approval. Some research that
involves human subjects in the form of anonymous surveys may qualify for
either "exempt" status or for an "expedited review," which means it does
not have to go before the full IRB for detailed analysis and review. But
even in those situations, the appropriate forms must be filed and the
research must be reviewed by the IRB Chair and/or other committee members.
No individual faculty member can declare his or her research involving
human subjects exempt from IRB review. "Exempt" means that it is exempt
from review by the full IRB, but not exempt from submission and approval.

Many of us have routinely assumed that when we engage in research in which
the human subjects remain unidentified or in which we protect the
confidentiality of their identities, there is no potential harm, and
therefore no requirement for IRB review. This is an erroneous assumption.
Any research conducted by you or by your students that involves human
subjects in any way (whether or not it is receiving funding from any
source) must first be submitted to the IRB for review.

If you have any questions at all about whether your research, or that of
your students, requires IRB approval, please direct them to Dr. Deborah
Arfken, the IRB Administrator, or Dr. Helen Eigenberg, Chair of the IRB. If
you have any doubts about whether your research involves human subjects, it
is wise to err on the side of safety and contact Dr. Arfken or Dr.
Eigenberg for clarification. The old saying that an ounce of prevention is
better than a pound of cure surely applies here.

At a time when UTC is making huge strides in research activities, we want
to be sure that we support and promote the efforts of our faculty and
students. The IRB is here to assist you, not to place roadblocks in your
way. It is also here to protect human subjects and to promote the interests
of the University. Please take advantage of this important resource.

Thank you.

John Friedl


John Friedl, Ph.D., J.D.
Provost and Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
102 Founders Hall, Dept. 5555
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
Phone: (423) 425-4633
Fax: (423) 756-5559
Email: [log in to unmask]