NOTE: We realize this website has a lot going on, but for now, we're trying to provide necessary info in only two pages. Please know we're working on a vastly expanded yet cleaner site with extensive resources that we hope will be available in stages beginning this summer. Stay tuned, and thanks for your input (and patience)!
HRPP Submission Forms, Consent Templates, & Approximate Review Timelines
Bookmark the above link to access current versions. Contact the HRPP if you're not sure which form to use.
Required Training for Protocol Submissions
The HRPP requires current (within 5 years of completion) CITI Human Research Training for all WWU researchers and key personnel/RAs interacting with participants or identifiable data. Complete the Social & Behavioral Research -- Basic/Refresher Course (#60805473).
- Already registered for CITI? Sign in here.
- If you have not yet signed up, follow these detailed registration instructions.
Note: The HRPP does not require RCR training. But external funding agencies might require RCR and 3-year CITI expiration. The PI is responsible for determining and meeting funding agency expectations.
External co-investigators/key personnel interacting with participants or identifiable data should submit CITI training if available or OHRP Human Research Protections Training (Lessons 1 & 2 ONLY).
NOTE: The IRB does not review full-board protocols over the summer months; please plan accordingly.
April HRPP Hours @ Kitto Grad Hub
12:30-2 p.m. Thursday, April 18
Calling all students, faculty, and staff who engage (or might engage) in human participant research. Do you have questions about the application, the HRPP/IRB process, or general research ethics/best practices? I’m eager to meet you and discuss your questions. Or feel free to stop by just to say hello in person!
Happy Spring!
We hope you're also enjoying this shift into warmer, brighter, more colorful days. Here are some updates from Winter Quarter:
>> On March 14, we kicked off the inaugural HRPP Drop-In Office Hours at the Kitto Grad Hub. Several graduate students swung by to discuss their upcoming projects and HRPP applications. It's fascinating to learn more about our campus researchers' exciting projects.
- SAVE THE DATE: 12-1:30 p.m., Thurs., April 18 ... All faculty, staff, and students: bring your HRPP questions or just say hi!
>> Expanded Consent Templates: minor assent/parental permission & opt-out notification, online consent, short form, etc. Though not required, these forms provide starting language/format to help your consent processes meet necessary criteria and best practices. If you have any discipline-specific consent language/parts to suggest, please contact us to help expand the library.
>> PAM (Post-Approval Monitoring) in progress: We're tying up loose ends on previously open protocols by doing quick email status checks, then readjusting approval timeframes or closing studies. Moving forward, we'll email you 2-3 weeks before your protocol's expiry date to check on its status. This way, we'll work together to ensure compliance, but you won't have to remember dates, and we can ensure accurate records.
As always, thank you for your work in supporting a culture of research integrity at Western.
Your HRPP/IRB leadership,
- Dr. Andrea Rossing McDowell, Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) Administrator
- Dr. Ira Hyman (Professor of Psychology), Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
In progress!
- Expanded website with submission overview and tips, guidance pages, and FAQs.
-
New HRPP Policy & Procedures Manual.
While we work on these resources, please email or call with all inquiries. Dr. McDowell welcomes questions at any stage of the process (from ideas to initial drafts to final revisions) and can help determine the most appropriate submission form for your project.
Why the New Terminology?
Human Subjects vs. Human Participants
"Subjects" implies a passive role: research activities are done on and to individuals in a study. In contrast, "participants" reflects an informed, active role, better affirming the Belmont Report principle of respect for persons.
IRB vs. HRPP
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) comprises 11 members from multiple WWU disciplines. IRB members review certain expedited submissions, convene to review full-board protocols needing higher-level risk assessment and mitigations.
The Human Research Protections Program (HRPP)--reports to the Vice Provost for Research and serves as the research integrity office supporting researchers conducting human participant research. Most WWU research qualifies as "minimal risk" and may use the Application for Exemption (from higher IRB review), for which the HRPP Administrator issues determinations. The HRPP Administrator manages all office processing and updates policies/practices based on current regulations and best practices in ethical human participant research.
Andrea Rossing McDowell, PhD
In Fall, Dr. Andrea McDowell joined WWU as HRPP Administrator--a new position dedicated to improving processes and better supporting research integrity. She brings more than a decade of experience in human participant research administration and research ethics, and an extensive writing/editing/public speaking background. For more than 30 years, she has taught in the university classroom on subjects from writing and editing, to Russian/Soviet literature, to Student Development Theory, and most recently, Business Communication and Editing for Seattle University. She is also a professional Editorial Consultant for the CITI human participant training program.