IRB Review Process

Weekly Meetings
Once a week, Lyon College's Institutional Review Board (IRB) will meet to discuss recent submissions. This meeting will occur at the same designated day and time each semester, based on the availability of all board members. At the start of each semester, all faculty, staff, and students will receive information about the Institutional Review Board’s (IRB) designated meeting time. If you require this information, please reach out to the chair directly. To ensure your submission is reviewed on time, submit your proposal at least 48 hours before the designated meeting. Otherwise, your proposal will be reviewed the following week. The chair will notify you when your proposal is scheduled for review.

Reaching a Quorum
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) must reach a quorum to hold a meeting and discuss recent submissions. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, a quorum is the minimal number (and type) of IRB members who must be present at a convened meeting. This is the majority of the designated members AND at least one nonscientist. A majority is calculated by taking the total number of members, dividing by 2, and rounding up to the nearest whole number. For example, if Lyon College’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) is comprised of 8 members (1 of which is a nonscientist), a quorum would be reached if at least 5 members are present (this number MUST include the nonscientist). To achieve a quorum, it is necessary for at least one non-scientist to be present. A quorum must be maintained throughout the meeting. If a quorum is lost, then the Institutional Review Board (IRB) may not vote on any additional submissions. Please note that only members of Lyon College’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) are allowed to attend these meetings. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) may solicit the advice of outside experts to assist with reviews, but these individuals are NOT considered members and are NOT permitted to vote.

Voting
Recent submissions are voted on at convened meetings, which consist of a majority of members, including a nonscientist. After a submission has been reviewed and discussed, one member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) should make a motion to approve, conditionally approve, disapprove, or table the submission. The motion must be seconded to be considered. The outcome of a submission is determined by the majority. A majority is calculated by taking the total number of members, dividing by 2, and rounding up to the nearest whole number. For example, if a quorum is reached and 8 members of Lyon College's Institutional Review Board (IRB) are present, a decision requires the approval of at least 5 members. If a motion to approve or approve with conditions does not pass, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) will vote to either disapprove or table the submission.

Decisions
Upon reaching a decision, an email will be sent to the Principal Investigator and all project personnel listed on the submission to communicate the final verdict (typically within 1-3 business days after the meeting has concluded). Please ensure that you check your email regularly to avoid any delays in making important decisions. If the submission fails to get approved, the Principal Investigator and project personnel will receive additional information to make the required changes to their project. This will enable them to seek approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) again if they wish. If your study is approved, you will be issued an approval letter and a unique approval code consisting of 2 letters and 10 numbers. You should retain this information in case you plan on publishing your research and the editor requests proof of IRB review.

Meeting Minutes
Minutes will be recorded at each meeting to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional protocols. Meeting minutes will then be subject to vote in subsequent meetings.