Board Composition

For an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to operate effectively and ensure that all research initiatives involving human subjects conform to federal, state, and institutional guidelines, meet ethical standards, and provide adequate protection for participants, a large and diverse board is essential.

According to the Revised Common Rule § 46.107, Lyon College’s Institutional Review Board (IRB)…
1. Will have at least five members with varying backgrounds to promote a complete and adequate review of research activities commonly conducted by faculty, staff, and students.
a. Will include at least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific areas (i.e., scientist).
b. Will include at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas (i.e., nonscientist).
c. Will include at least one member who is not affiliated with Lyon College (not employed by Lyon College and not an immediate family member of someone affiliated with it).
d. Will include at least one member who is affiliated with Lyon College.
2. Will include members who demonstrate professional competence and possess relevant experience/ expertise.
3. Will include members from diverse racial, gender, and cultural backgrounds while showing sensitivity to community attitudes and perspectives.
4. Will include members who are knowledgeable of institutional policies and regulations, applicable law, and standards of professional conduct and practice.
5. Will include members who are knowledgeable about and experienced in working with vulnerable populations (such as children, prisoners, individuals with physical/cognitive disabilities, and/or economically/educationally disadvantaged persons).
6. Will include one prisoner representative if incarcerated individuals are involved in submitted research proposals.

The chief academic officer appoints all members of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The chair is selected by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) members from the Lyon College Faculty serving on the board.
In some cases, members of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) may submit personal research proposals for review. Members cannot review their own submissions to avoid conflict of interest. Members must also avoid reviewing submissions from conflicted parties.