Our IRB Form ends with "Department Head Signature."  We also ask for PI signature.  There's no rationale provided, and no descriptive wording at all.  There are no administration signatures required.

The form with "Department Head Signature" on the last line predates my time at this institution.  I think the line is there to make sure that the department head knows that this human subject research will potentially occur.

When the IRB makes its decision, the decision document only bears the signature of the IRB chair.  The department head has no role in making the decision, only in being aware of the submission to IRB.

Landy

__________________________
Landy C. Johnson, MPA, Ph.D.
Director of Grant Development
Assumption College, Alumni Hall 024
500 Salisbury St.
Worcester, MA  01609-1296
(508)767-7666
xxxxxx@assumption.edu
http://www.assumption.edu/research

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