Apr 16, 2014 By Luise Singletary for The Yellow Jacket 4 min read

Once a month during the academic year, Waynesburg University’s Institutional Review Board meets to determine the statuses of a variety research projects from both students and faculty that specifically use human test subjects. 

“The IRB legitimizes research endeavors,” said Jellison. “It is really important for growing as a university. Presenting and promoting research keeps Waynesburg on par with bigger universities.”

The board assesses ongoing research projects from Waynesburg students and faculty, as well as  any projects in which Waynesburg students could serve as test subjects. 

Without the IRB’s approval, the student cannot begin his or her research.

“The most rewarding aspect is getting the university to think about how work affects subjects and to consider the full ramifications of their activities,” said Kirby. 

“If a group of students stage an experiment where someone pretends to be injured, then they need to consider the possibility that people could be traumatized,” said Kirby. “These are factors that must be accounted for in a research project.”

The IRB operates under the scope of the Belmont Report, a federal report that discusses the ethics of using human subjects. 

According to Kirby, it resonates strongly with the idea of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Through the lens of each member, the board is able to look at the projects in a variety of ways.

Jellison, an associate professor of psychology who has been an IRB board member on and off since the board’s creation nearly 10 years ago, said she appreciates the experience of being on the board.

The IRB’s final meeting of the academic year will be on May 15.