Creighton University

The  Biomedical Review and Social and Behavioral Institutional Review Boards are appointed by the University President.  The policies delineating the roles and the responsibilities of each board may be found here.  The training requirements for board members may be found here. 

These boards review for approval and monitor for progress all research protocols in which human subjects or are involved.

The Institutional Review Boards are charged with the following responsibilities:

• Determining whether human subjects have volunteered for a research endeavor by means of informed consent;
• Determining whether risks to these subjects are outweighed by potential benefits to them and/or society; and  
• Evaluating the importance of the knowledge to be gained by the research endeavor.

The specific evaluation of risk involves estimating the potential for injury to the subject by reason of direct application of an experimental procedure or circumstance, or by reason of the subject's exclusion from ordinary standards of practice or care. Rights of subjects regarding confidentiality and access to professional care and counsel are included in deliberations so that human dignity, rights, and physical, behavioral, and social welfare are protected.