Human Ethics (IRB)
What is IRB?
The William & Mary Institutional Review Board (IRB), formerly PHSC, is an administrative body charged with overseeing protocols involving human participants to ensure that research protocols follow OHRP regulations. For more information, please visit the HHS website.
Managing an IRB Protocol
You must use SPARCS to submit your project proposal.
A properly completed protocol will include a rationale for the study, full procedures, description of the participants, copy of all surveys, questionnaires, all interview questions, the informed consent form, and other pertinent information.
For more details, please see the tab "IRB Protocol Considerations" and related subpages.
Active protocols must be maintained even if data collection has ended and only data analysis is occurring. You may submit a "renewal" of your protocol in the SPARCS system. If you are renewing a protocol that only exists in the "compliance.wm.edu" system, you must submit a "new study" and then follow the instructions for submitting an "initial submission."
In the protocol, you can include that this is an extension of a previously approved project; the explanation can be included in "Study Design and Procedures - DP2" textbox. A PDF attachment of your original protocol can be included for reference.
