IRB Administrative Office333 Zeis Hall, CPO 2030 |
IRB ChairElizabeth Pascoe, Ph.D. |
IRB AdministratorVacant |
Specific InquiriesFor specific information about IRBnet, IRBnet training, outreach and education or to provide information requested by the IRB to assess grant-protocol congruency, contact Elizabeth Pascoe. For specific information about new protocols, triennial renewals, and SOP’s contact Elizabeth Pascoe. For specific information regarding documentation on extramural collaborations involving human subjects research contact Elizabeth Pascoe. |
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Institutional Research Board
The Mission of the IRB
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulates all research activities involving human subjects on the UNC Asheville campus. The IRB is a committee appointed to ensure the rights, safety, and welfare of human research subjects; ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations; and conduct ethical reviews of human research activities including initial review, continuation, modification, unanticipated problems, and alleged noncompliance.
Its primary responsibility is to assure the UNC Asheville community — administrators, contractors, faculty, staff, and students — conduct research activities within the University’s commitment to the Federalwide Assurance of Compliance filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP).
Our Purpose
To protect the rights and welfare of human participants in research conducted by members of the UNC Asheville community. This purpose is fulfilled by the review of protocols by members of the Institutional Review Board, who determine whether research meets the standards for ethical conduct using human participants as found in The Code of Federal Regulations Title 45 Part 46: Protection of Human Subjects.
Quick Links
Human Subject Concerns
Research participants are encouraged to report any concerns or complaints about a study, either to the investigator or directly to the IRB if preferred.
How to Report a Concern
To submit a complaint to the IRB, complete the Report Form for Research Concerns and Complaints and send it to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs via email at research@unca.edu or by U.S. mail.
All concerns are reviewed in accordance with IRB standard operating procedures, and questions about the process may be directed to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Human subjects research involves a systematic investigation — including research development, testing, and evaluation — designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, and that involves a living individual about whom an investigator obtains data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or identifiable private information.
Use our Decision Tree to determine if your project qualifies →
Class projects designed solely to fulfill course requirements and not intended to contribute to generalizable knowledge typically do not require IRB review. However, if there is any possibility that results will be published, presented at conferences, or disseminated beyond the class, IRB review is likely required. When in doubt, contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Review timelines vary by review type. Exempt reviews are typically completed within 1–2 weeks. Expedited reviews generally take 2–3 weeks. Full board review requires submission by the deadline and occurs at the scheduled monthly meeting. Investigators should plan accordingly — research cannot begin until written approval is received.
All investigators must complete the appropriate CITI Program training before submitting an IRB protocol. The required modules depend on your research type (social/behavioral vs. biomedical). Community partners and student co-investigators are also required to complete training.
Most online surveys involving human subjects do require IRB review, though many qualify for expedited or exempt review. The IRB has specific guidance on platform requirements and data security for online data collection tools.