IRB Members
IRB Members Overview
This page provides resources to support you in your role as a member of the Institutional Review Board. Here you will find reference materials, review guides, and practical tools to assist with protocol review, meeting preparation, and the application of federal and institutional requirements.
We encourage you to use these materials as needed to help ensure consistent, thorough, and compliant IRB review.
For IRB Committee Members
Resources for IRB Members
Other Checklists
- Approval Criteria
- Informed Consent Approval CriteriaÂ
- Additional Protections for Children in Research
- Additional Protections for Pregnant Women, Human Fetuses and Neonates Involved in ResearchÂ
- Additional Protections for Prisoners in ResearchÂ
- Waivers and Alterations of ConsentÂ
IRB Member Responsibilities
IRB members are expected to:
- Uphold the protection of human subjects as the primary priority in all IRB deliberations and actions.
- Serve for a 3-year term, which can be extended upon request.
- Attend IRB meetings regularly, arriving on time and staying for the full session whenever possible, to maintain continuity and quorum.
- Use video cameras during virtual meetings to verify attendance and ensure quorum.
- Notify the IRB Chair or staff of any extended absences (e.g., due to conferences, sabbatical, or other commitments) that may affect meeting participation.
- Remain free of bias during review activities and disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest, including personal, professional, or financial relationships with investigators or study sponsors, in compliance with 45 CFR 46.107(d) and institutional conflict of interest policies.
- Review assigned protocols thoroughly and objectively, applying the three ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report (respect for persons, beneficence, and justice), and ensuring the regulatory criteria for approval are met as described in 45 CFR 46.111.
- Assess whether continuing review is required more frequently than annually.
- Vote to approve, require modifications for approval, or disapprove research protocols based on their compliance with ethical standards and regulatory criteria, and provide appropriate rationale and documentation for decisions.
- Request input from non-voting consultants, when needed, to ensure appropriate expertise is available for the review of specific protocols and whether any research activities require verification from sources other than the investigator, in accordance with 45 CFR 46.107(e).
- Maintain confidentiality of all protocol materials, reviewer comments, and IRB discussions, in line with institutional policy and federal expectations.
- Provide advice and guidance to researchers, departments, and research teams on ethical and regulatory aspects of human subjects research.
- Review educational materials and guidance related to human research protections that may be shared with faculty, students, and administrative offices.
- Support the implementation of federal, state, and institutional policies related to the ethical conduct of research involving human participants, including those specific to Utah law and BYU policy.
For Community Members
Community Members
The IRB is composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds, including both scientists and non-scientists from the community. Community members offer essential perspectives that strengthen the ethical review process. Their contributions help to:
- Offer a non-scientific perspective in evaluating research proposals
- Ensure that consent forms and other study materials are clear and understandable to individuals without technical or academic training
- Identify ethical concerns or cultural considerations that may affect members of the local community
Community Member Role on BYU IRB
Community members serve an important role in bringing the perspective of the general public to the review process.
Community members are not expected to have a background in science or research. Instead, they contribute by offering insights into how proposed studies may be understood, received, or experienced by people outside the academic setting.
We are currently seeking individuals who:
- Bring diverse backgrounds and life experiences, such as artists, educators, faith leaders, veterans, full-time caregivers, small business owners, service industry professionals, or previous research participants
- Have an interest in research ethics and the protection of human participants
- Are able to review materials in advance and attend monthly IRB meetings
- Can represent the perspective of Utah communities, including values, concerns, and local context
- Feel comfortable asking questions and raising concerns in a group setting
- Are willing to serve for a term of at least two years
- Dedicate a total time commitment of about 5 hours per meeting (2-3 hours preparation + 3-hour meeting). There is 1 meeting each month.
- Meetings are held the first Thursdays of the month from 3 pm to 6 pm. All meetings are held over Zoom. Community Members are compensated for their time.
Serving as a community member provides a meaningful opportunity to help uphold ethical research and protect the individuals who participate in studies conducted at BYU and throughout Utah.
If you're interested in learning more, please contact the Human Research Protection Program Office at BYU.HRPP@byu.edu.