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The Office of
Human Research Ethics
General Information
For Investigators
For Research Participants and the Public
Welcome
The Office of Human Research Ethics (OHRE) is responsible for ethical and regulatory oversight of research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that involves human subjects. OHRE supports and oversees the work of the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).
Organizational Structure
Five existing school-based IRB operations have been integrated into a centralized office, reporting through a single director to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. The goal is to maximize protection of human research subjects at UNC-Chapel Hill. Reorganization will support this goal through the effective and efficient use of campus resources, increased capacity and accountability and standardization of best practices.
While the IRBs are no longer defined solely by school boundaries, they still serve the same communities of investigators and involve the same members and staff. Which IRB is used is typically determined by the home department of the principal investigator, as it was in the past. More on changes. The IRBs are:
- Behavioral IRB. Formerly Academic Affairs IRB. Reviews research in psychology, child development, education, anthropology, information and library science, social work, journalism, and many other disciplines under Academic Affairs, including the College of Arts and Sciences. Expertise is focused on research in behavioral and social sciences and the humanities.
- Biomedical IRB. Formerly School of Medicine IRB, comprised of four committees. Reviews research involving School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, UNC Hospitals, and research in other units that involves biomedical interventions. Expertise is focused on medical, surgical, physiological or pharmacological studies. Includes research with drugs, devices, counseling, or other interventions. Effective July 2005, the Dental IRB became part of the Biomedical IRB. Studies that require dental expertise are reviewed by the the Biomedical Committee B.
- Public Health-Nursing IRB. Formerly the School of Public Health IRB and the School of Nursing IRB, the Public Health-Nursing IRB was formed in a merger beginning September 1, 2006. Reviews research from School of Public Health, School of Nursing, nursing-related studies at UNC Hospitals, non-medical research from Injury Prevention Research Center, Carolina Population Center, Health Promotion Disease Prevention, and Sheps Center. Expertise is focused on behavioral, social, organizational, epidemiological, and other research in a public health or nursing context.
For questions or comments--
- About how to use the new forms, general questions, or the status of your review, ask your IRB.
- About the changes or web site by email:
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- About IRB training requirements by email:
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