The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for overseeing all research done at Carleton by faculty, students or staff that involves human subjects. The goals of the IRB are to ensure that researchers understand and uphold the following two standards dictated by federal law:

1. Human subjects should not be placed at undue risk;
2. Subjects should give uncoerced, informed consent to their participation in the research.

The IRB Application Process page describes how to apply for IRB approval of a research project.

Other Useful Resources

• The IRB's "Frequently Asked Questions" document provides a great deal of information about human subjects research, applications to the IRB, and the application review and approval process.
• The Campus Handbook provides background information on the legal underpinnings of the IRB's operations and on various policies related to the IRB.
• The National Institutes of Health have published a useful training module that provides investigators with a basic introduction to the principles of ethical research on human subjects.

Questions can be referred to Kim Smith, the IRB chair, at 507-222-4123, ksmith@carleton.edu, or 1 N. College Street, Northfield, MN 55057.