Institutional Review Board
South Texas College considers support for academic research to be a key component of its pledge to the people of the Rio Grande Valley and of Texas.
South Texas College requires an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application to use human subjects in research. All parties wishing to conduct human-subject research involving the college, its students or its personnel, at or on behalf of the College, must comply with all IRB guidelines, submit a request to the IRB for permission to conduct their study and obtain IRB authorization prior to conducting their studies. This Web page includes the required forms and contact information.
The IRB Liaison
All applications to the Institutional Review Board, as well as any questions about the IRB process, should be directed via e-mail to the Interim IRB Liaison:
- Dr. Fernando Chapa
Dean of Institutional Research, Effectiveness & Strategic Planning
irb@southtexascollege.edu
Necessary Forms
The above form can be used for new applicants, amendments and continuations. The document includes instructions, as well as general information about the IRB process at South Texas College.
The IRB Process at South Texas College
South Texas College accepts only completed applications that it deems sufficient for the Institutional Review Board to make its decision. Upon receipt of materials, the IRB Liaison will notify the Applicant whether the submission is sufficient or if further clarification is required.
Applicants should take special care that the population for the study is precisely defined.
Applicants should take special care that all materials, including all fields in the forms, are clearly legible.
As part of the submission, Applicants must include the final drafts of all survey questionnaires, focus group protocols, or similar study instruments. Should there be any changes to these instruments, Applicants must come back to the IRB to seek approval for the new materials before any data is collected.
If the study requires a notice of Informed Consent, Applicants should ensure that this notice is included with the application and contains all necessary elements required under the applicable human-subjects regulations.
Outside researchers, whether faculty or graduate students, should apply to their home-institution IRB first, and then apply to STC for site approval. Applicants must include their home-institution approval memo with their STC application.
Applicants should give ample time to allow the IRB to accept and process applications.
Though South Texas College tries to process applications within two weeks after acceptance, we caution strongly that this is only an estimate. Circumstances beyond our control, including college breaks, unforeseen events, or the need to convene the full Board, may result in delays.
At the close of the study, the Applicant should provide a copy of his or her findings to South Texas College.
The IRB’s approval is valid for one year. If the study is not completed within one year, Applicants must file for an Extension.