Institutional Review Board

Oakland City University (OCU) is committed to the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects and to safeguarding the rights and welfare of research participants. The university ensures that all human subjects research conducted under its auspices adheres to the highest ethical and regulatory standards.

Human subjects research at Oakland City University is conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research. These principles – respect for persons, beneficence, and justice – form the foundation of OCU’s approach to research ethics.

In addition to ethical guidance, the university complies with all applicable federal regulations governing human subject research. Specifically, OCU adheres to the minimum standards established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations (45 CFR Part 46) and the Food and Drug Administration regulations (21 CFR Parts 50 and 56), where applicable.

All research proposals involving human participants must be submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review and approval prior to the initiation of any study-related activities. The IRB is responsible for ensuring that research protocols include appropriate measures for informed consent, risk minimization, privacy, and the equitable selection of subjects.

OCU maintains an ongoing commitment to fostering a research environment that promotes ethical inquiry, accountability, and respect for human dignity.

The OCU IRB is federally registered with the Federalwide Assurance (FWA) for the Protection of Human Subjects with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is empowered by the provost and vice-president of academic affairs to review all research protocols involving human subjects to be conducted at or supported by OCU. The administrator and/or the chair of the IRB report to the provost.

OCU researchers (faculty, staff, and students) utilize the IRB Canvas site to access advisory information, current policies, required forms, and for the submission of research requests. To access to the IRB Canvas site, please send an email request to [email protected].