Institutional Review Board
All human subjects research conducted by Southern Miss faculty, students and staff requires prior approval by the University’s Institutional Board (IRB). The IRB is responsible for ensuring that proposed research meets the relevant federal and institutional standards and guidelines. All investigations and experiments involving human subjects in any way, regardless of funding source, must be reviewed and sanctioned by the IRB before beginning the research. Data collected before formal IRB approval is received may not be used under any circumstances.
Overview of the Submission Process
Begin by reviewing the University’s Human Subjects Research Policies (link) and Submission Guide (link).
Applications for IRB approval must be sent electronically to IRB@usm.edu by the Chair or Director of the submitter’s department or academic unit. The email from the Chair or Director should state his or her approval of the project with a completed IRB submission form and all applicable supporting documentation attached to the email as a single electronic file.
Upon approval, the IRB manager will send the principal investigator an approval letter from the IRB Chair electronically. Expect 3 – 4 weeks for approval.
Completed applications must include:
1. Human subjects review research application
2. CITI certificates showing completion of both the University’s designated Common Course and the Human Subjects Research Course by all of the project’s investigators
3. A detailed description of the proposed protocol and research procedures
4. Research instruments, such as surveys or tests
5. Informed Consent documents
6. Permission letters from other institutions/businesses/schools involved in the project, submitted on their official letterhead
For questions about either the IRB submission process or CITI training, contact Jo Ann Johnson, Joann.Johnson@usm.edu, 601.266.5997.
