Institutional Review Board

The Worcester State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) is charged with protecting human subjects involved in research. The IRB reviews protocols, the informed consent process, and the procedures used to enroll participants to ensure that human subjects research is conducted ethically and in compliance with the principles espoused in the Belmont Report and with applicable federal, state, local and institutional requirements.

Worcester State has provided “Federal Wide Assurance” and thus adheres to the requirements of the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (known as the “Common Rule”). This means that all research involving human subjects must comply with federal standards regardless of whether the research is federally funded. All research that involves human subjects must be either not subject to review or be approved by the IRB.

The IRB uses an online submission and review system, Mentor. Worcester State researchers can find further information, including instructions and application forms, by accessing Mentor. On the sign-in page, type “worcester” as the institution and use your Worcester State ID and password.

Questions or concerns about Worcester State researchers’ compliance with human subjects requirements should be addressed to the IRB Compliance Coordinator, Dr. Mariana Calle, at mcalle@worcester.edu. Please address all other questions to the IRB Chair, Dr. Robert A. Brooks, at rbrooks@worcester.edu.

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