Institutional Review Board

Aspen University established an Institutional Review Board (IRB) in 2013 to protect the interests of human participants in research. The primary role of the IRB is the review of all human subject research conducted at Aspen University. The IRB Handbook includes more details. What you need to know related to the IRB in this Handbook is:

You may not begin participant recruitment or any data collection prior to formal IRB approval (this happens in DIS997). Only the IRB has the authority to approve research. The student is responsible to acquire IRB approval to ensure that the research is conducted in the appropriate manner. Failure to secure IRB approval prior to recruiting participants and/or collecting data will result in consequences ranging from the requirement to discard collected data to immediate dismissal that cannot be appealed.
You will complete training related to human subjects in course DIS995 and learn all you ever wanted to know about the IRB and your role in protecting the rights and welfare of human participants. The training is called CITI and is explained in this short video.
Studies that propose research on protected or vulnerable populations will require a full board review, which can be a lengthy process. As such, if you have questions or concerns about a proposed sample work with your chair (who will work with the IRB) early on to prevent potential barriers (see the IRB Handbook for details). Remember, the dissertation is a demonstration project, not your life’s work.