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Home >>  Research  >>  IRB

Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects


In an Executive Decision Memorandum dated 29 April 2005, the Undersecretary of the Navy assigned the Surgeon General of the Navy as the sole authority for execution and oversight of the Department of the Navy's Human Research Protection Program (DON HRPP). This authority applies to all human subject research conducted by naval activities or personnel, involving naval military personnel or DON employees as research subjects, or supported by naval activities through any agreement, regardless of the source of funding, funding appropriation, the nature of support, performance site, or security classification. NPS’ assurance is granted by DON HRPP.   

No human participation in any form of research can take place without proper review and approval by the NPS IRB – doing so is mandated by the Code of Federal Regulations governing human research and the independent IRB authority granted by the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Defense.

The NPS IRB has jurisdiction over all human participant research that involves any form of social science research (experimentation or investigation) including research that involves paper or on-line questionnaires, surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc. In addition, the NPS IRB also has jurisdiction over human participation in any type of biomedical research. Examples include (but are not limited to): Having participants perform tasks that involve physical manipulations, exercises, or actions (such as having the participant walk up and down steps, etc.); assessing motion sickness or simulator sickness; performing blood pressure readings, EMGs, EEGs, EKGs, etc.; or having participants wear devices (such as helmets or head-mounted displays), etc.

The NPS IRB operates using NPGSINST 3900.4 as the principal guideline in making a determination to approve or disapprove a request to engage in research involving human participants. This document is based on 45 CFR 46 as well as all other applicable Federal and International Laws governing the use of humans as research participants.

The NPS IRB is authorized to review and approve, require modifications in, or withhold approval of research involving human participants. Approval is only granted for one year; therefore, the IRB is also responsible for reviewing ongoing research activities on a continuing basis. After an approval has expired, a new application would need to be completed and approval granted before research can resume. It is very important for investigators to follow their approved protocols. If a protocol is not followed as approved, the IRB has authority to suspend those research activities.

The NPS IRB consists of both civilian and military faculty and NPS staff. The IRB must also have at least one community member serving on the board that is not employed or affiliated with NPS. All IRB members are appointed by the President of NPS, and all IRB activities are coordinated through the NPS Research Office located in Halligan Hall. The NPS Approving Official is the President of the Naval Postgraduate School, Daniel T. Oliver. The NPS IRB is chaired by LT Brent Olde, Ms. Danielle Kuska of the NPS Research Office is the IRB Administrative Official.

Please submit signed IRB Applications to Laura Ann Ikner-Price in HA-201B. All questions and comments concerning the IRB can be emailed to the Institutional Review Board.