Re: Dept Chair Signature on IRB Applications JCU Director of Sponsored Research 28 Aug 2007 07:50 EST
When I started as IRB administrator our form also had a department chair signature. It was eliminated after a discussion on what the signature meant: approval of the research project or acknowledgment of research activity. We decided on the latter. Rather than delaying the submission of the application while securing a signature by the chair, we acknowledge the receipt of an application to the researcher and copy the chair so that the chair is notified. The title of the research project and the assigned IRB number is included in the email notification. If the chair has any concerns over the quality of the research or expertise of the researcher, he/she is welcome to send comments to the IRB. No one has yet to comment. The chair is also copied on the approved email but not on any other correspondence with the researcher. This procedure was welcomed by researchers because it made the submission process easier and eliminated the perception of suppression of research. Cathy Catherine T. Anson, MA, CRA, CIM Director of Sponsored Research John Carroll University, AD 250 20700 North Park Blvd. University Heights, OH 44118-4581 TEL: 216-397-4520 FAX: 216-397-1835 xxxxxx@jcu.edu http://www.jcu.edu/research -----Original Message----- From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Johnson, Landy (Director of Grant Development) Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 3:37 PM To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org Subject: [RESADM-L] Dept Chair Signature on IRB Applications 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 ************************** ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ====================================================================== ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ======================================================================