Institutional Review Board (IRB) Resource Toolbox The resource toolbox contains a listing of regulations, reports, documents, and websites that researchers may need when conducting human subjects research.
FWA - Federalwide Assurance The FWA (Federalwide Assurance) is the agreement between West Texas A&M University and the federal government. The WTAMU identification number is FWA 000012607 and is approved until 12/2013. The WTAMU IRB is also registered with the federal government and identified as IRB 00002071 and IORG00001611. These identification numbers can be used to search for more details on the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) website.
West Texas A&M University has specific policies and procedures for the establishment and operation of the WTAMU IRB. The WTAMU IRB institutional official is Dr. J.Patrick O’Brien, President of the University. Dr. Angela Spaulding is the Dean of the Graduate School and the Chief Research Officer for the University and supervises the operations of the IRB. Dr. Gary Bigham is Chair of the IRB and is broadly engaged with the IRB members and staff. The IRB is directly accountable to the Office of Human Research Protections of the Department of Health and Human Services federal agency.
Federal Regulations: 45 CFR 46 Federal regulations mandate how research with human subjects is conducted. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides the definition of research and human subjects. These definitions determine if IRB review is needed. The IRB itself also is defined in the federal regulations.
The Office of Human Subjects Research (OHSR) operates within the Office of the Deputy Director for Intramural Research (DDIR), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is part of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) which is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The Belmont Report provides guidelines to researchers as they design and conduct their research studies. The three principles highlighted include respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
The Declaration of Helsinki provides outlines ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects.
The Nuremberg Code provides directives to researchers for human experimentation.
The Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) is the leadership body within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that ensures the rights, welfare, and well-being of human subjects participating in research. The OHRP provides clarification and guidance, education, regulatory oversight, and ethical advice on biomedical and behavioral research. The American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
American Anthropological Association: Code of Ethics Guidelines for making ethical choices in the conduct of their anthropological work.
American Sociological Association: Code of Ethics Principles and ethical standards that underlie sociologists' professional responsibilities and conduct.
Society for Research in Child Development: Ethical Standards Ethical standards for research with children.
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