Institutional Review Board: Home

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is the body at the University of Portland that is charged with review and oversight of all research and classroom projects involving human subjects carried out by members of the University community.

The principal function of the IRB is to safeguard the rights and welfare of participants in research activities originating in the University.  The IRB exercises oversight and review of research initiated by faculty, staff members, and students in connection with their respective academic pursuits.

The IRB's intention is not to hinder research; its only objective is to ensure that human subjects' rights are protected and that the project complies with federal standards.

The IRB website provides information for University of Portland students, for faculty and staff who plan to conduct research involving human subjects, and for faculty who are supervising student research. 

If a faculty member or any student is planning research that includes human subjects, the University requires review by the IRB.

If a member of another institution is planning research that includes human subjects that are members of the University of Portland community, then that research requires not only review by the University of Portland IRB, but also prior permission from the University of Portland Director of Student Activities (DSA), and a University of Portland group, department or faculty research sponsor.  The local must submit the project to the IRB for review, along with written documentation of approval by the DSA.