Institutional Research Board

Federal and state regulations mandate that research involving human participants must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) assuring compliance with the policies of the Office of Human Research Protections (https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/). Lincoln University has established an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for providing guidance and oversight for the human participant in research and maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and to protect university’s reputation.

The IRB at Lincoln University include members of the faculty, administration, a student representative, and a representative of the public (outside of the university). The IRB will be responsible for the following oversight functions:

1. Determine what activities constitute human participant research, and the extent to which this research may be physically or psychologically harmful to the participants.
2. Review, approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove of all research activities covered by this policy prior to the commencement of the research, and prior to the submission to an academic journal, conference presentation or any other form of publication.
3. Require that information given to participants as part of informed consent is in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, and international standards. The IRB may require that additional information be given to the participants when, in the IRB’s judgment, the information would meaningfully add to the protection of the rights and welfare of participants.
4. Require documentation of informed consent or waive documentation in accordance with federal and State of California laws and regulations. When research activities are being proposed to be conducted in other states and/or countries by Lincoln University faculty, staff, and/or students, the research activities will be approved in compliance with the regulations for those specific research locations.
5. Notify investigators and the institution in writing of its decision to approve or disapprove the proposed research activity, or of modifications required to secure IRB approval of the research activity. If the IRB decides to disapprove a research activity, it shall include in its written notification a statement of the reasons for its decision and give the investigator an opportunity to respond in person or in writing.
6. Suspend or terminate approval of research that is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB’s requirements or that has been associated with unexpected serious harm to participants. Any suspension or termination of approval shall include a statement of the reasons for the IRB’s action and shall be reported promptly to the investigator, appropriate institutional official and the department or agency head.
7. Suspend or terminate the research that is damaging to the reputation of Lincoln University as ascientific, non-profit, non-sectarian, academic