Institutional Review Board

Purpose of the IRB

The IRB's purpose is to regulate all research activities involving human subjects on the campus of Kennesaw State University, ensuring that people who participate in research are treated ethically and in compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations.

What is Research?

Research is defined as a planned investigation designed to test a hypothesis, permit conclusions to be drawn, and thereby to develop or to contribute to generalizable knowledge. Generalizable knowledge is knowledge that has implications for a broader group of people or that will be used to influence policy or practice.

What must the IRB Review?

KSU requires prior review and approval to be obtained from the IRB for all research involving human participants, including plans to gather data from participants for master’s theses and other student projects. Any administration of a substance or stimulus, interview, test, use of records that identify living individuals, or observations of non-public behavior must be approved by the IRB.

The IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications (to secure approval), and disapprove research proposals and to suspend or terminate research that is not conducted in accordance with the IRB's requirements or that has been associated with any possible harm to subjects.

IRB review standards are based on federal regulations and guidelines.