IRB

General Information

The Institutional Review Board is charged with the responsibility to review research studies and ensure that the well-being of research participants is appropriately safeguarded. Responsibility for ethical conduct rests with all parties involved in the review, oversight, or conduct of research involving human or animal subjects. Parties include the Assistant Provost, Deans, Associate Deans, Division Chairs, faculty, staff, students, and members of the IRB.

To submit all applications for IRB review, please email completed forms and any additional required documentation to irb@mcpherson.edu. For assistance completing applications or for answers to any questions, please feel free to reach out to any of the IRB members.

Meeting Dates

2025-2026 Academic Year

Materials must be received 2 weeks prior to the meeting date for review

September 17 (Reviewing applications submitted on or before Sep 3)

October 1 (Reviewing applications submitted on or before September 17)

October 15 (Reviewing applications submitted on or before October 1)

October 29 (Reviewing applications submitted on or before October 15)

November 12 (Reviewing applications submitted on or before October 29)

December 3 (Reviewing applications submitted on or before November 12)

Spring semester meetings will resume in January. Spring 2026 dates TBD.

Policy on Online Survey Platforms

Qualtrics is the preferred platform for collecting data through a computer-based survey because it allows for fully anonymized data collection (select "Anonymize Response" under Survey Options). You can access the free version of Qualtrics here: https://www.qualtrics.com/free-account/

Other platforms (i.e. Google Forms) may be approved if the free version of Qualtrics does not meet your needs. Survey platform choice should be explained in your application.

Forms & Policies

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Download files

	Name	Description	Status	Source
	McPherson College IRB Guidelines	Last updated: August 2023	Required	McPherson College IRB Guidelines, 2023.pdf	Edit McPherson College IRB Guidelines	Delete McPherson College IRB Guidelines

While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.

Download files

	Name	Description	Status	Source
	McPherson College IRB Application, Human Research	Last updated: August 2023	Required	McPherson_IRB_Application,_2023.docx	Edit McPherson College IRB Application, Human Research	Delete McPherson College IRB Application, Human Research
	McPherson College IRB Application, Animal Research	Last updated: August 2023	Required	McPherson_IRB_Application_(Animal),_2023.docx	Edit McPherson College IRB Application, Animal Research	Delete McPherson College IRB Application, Animal Research

While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.

Download files

Name	Description	Status	Source
IRB Application Checklist	Last updated: August 2023	Required	IRB Application Checklist.docx	Edit IRB Application Checklist	Delete IRB Application Checklist
IRB Submission Flow Chart, Human Research	Use this flow chart to help determine whether your proposed study requires submission for IRB approval. Last updated: August 2023	Required	IRB Flow Chart (Human).png	Edit IRB Submission Flow Chart, Human Research	Delete IRB Submission Flow Chart, Human Research
IRB Submission Flow Chart, Animal Research	Use this flow chart to help determine whether your proposed study requires submission for IRB approval. Last updated: August 2023	Required	IRB Flow Chart (Animal).png	Edit IRB Submission Flow Chart, Animal Research	Delete IRB Submission Flow Chart, Animal Research

While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.