Use of Human Subjects

Purdue University requires that research that includes human subjects, and that is conducted by any Purdue employee or student and/or involves the use of any Purdue resources or facilities, must be reviewed and approved or determined exempt by Purdue University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), also known locally as the Committee on the Use of Human Research Subjects. The review of proposed research projects must occur before the proposed human subject study is undertaken. As part of the review, a copy of each questionnaire, survey, or other data collection instruments that may be used in a research study conducted by Purdue University investigators must be reviewed and approved, prior to its use.

The IRB is charged with protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of human subjects in research. This includes ensuring that no subject participates in research unless their individual participation is voluntary, based upon a full pre-participation disclosure of the procedures, and their continued right to withdraw consent at any time during the study. The IRB also reviews such research for compliance with federal human subject regulations.

Information and application forms are available from the IRB Web site at www.irb.purdue.edu/ or from the IRB office located in the office of the Vice President for Research, 307 Hovde Hall. For additional information, contact the committee office secretary at 49-45942.