Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s policy on activities involving human subjects is to fully comply with regulations of the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and to implement the principles outlined in the Belmont Report.
At Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU), all human subjects research activities come under the purview and oversight of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), irrespective of whether the research is funded or non-funded, minimal risk or more. The human subjects policies apply to all OKWU affiliated faculty, staff, and students conducting human subjects research on or off-campus (domestic or international sites) as well as visitors conducting research at OKWU.
The IRB is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research. IRB members are appointed by the Vice-President of Academic Affairs/Provost on the recommendation of the Chairperson of the IRB. Members are appointed for renewable, three-year terms and include faculty with expertise in various disciplines engaged in human subjects research. All members, whether regular or alternate, have full voting rights. No IRB members participate in the review of any study on which they are a principal researcher or co-researcher.
The Chairperson of the IRB conducts an orientation for new members which includes review of relevant materials provided (Belmont Report, Federal Regulations, University Policy, IRB Guidelines), and details concerning committee function and procedures.
The IRB may, at its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas (consultants) to assist in the review of complex issues that require expertise beyond, or in addition to, determining research eligibility at OKWU or for OKWU faculty, staff, and/or students conducting research. The consultant does not take part in voting. Similarly, researchers may request, or be invited, to attend IRB meetings to clarify issues concerning their proposed research activity. These researchers do not take part in committee deliberations or voting.
Committee decisions are reported to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs/Provost.
Correspondence to the IRB should be directed to: Institutional Review Board Dr. Kelley Sells, IRB Chairperson Oklahoma Wesleyan University 2201 Silver Lake Rd. Bartlesville, OK 74006 ksells@okwu.edu
