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Institutional Review Board @ HCC

Purpose of the Institutional Review Board


All institutions applying for federal funds must have Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) with clearly defined policies and procedures to ensure that grant-funded research activities protect human subjects. Principal investigators submitting proposals involving research and human subjects must complete required forms and submit the project for IRB review prior to submission. 

Institutional Review Board Committee

Janice Schaeffler M.S., Ed.S., (Chair), Associate Professor of Mathematics
Michael Amico Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
Sandra Barnes M.S., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Biology
Andrea Macnow, M.P.A., Grants Development Specialist
Antonios Pappantoniou Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology

Dates for IRB Meetings 

The meetings are all at 3 pm in BH-272 on the first Monday of each month.

Timeline for review:

Projects need to be received by the Chair of the Institutional Review Board  2 weeks before the Institutional Review Board meeting date to be considered at the following meeting. This timeline allows for distribution of the projects to committee members for their review prior to the meeting when they will be discussed and voted on.  Upon review, project notification will be sent to primary authors within 5 business days.

How do i know if my research project needs Institutional Review Board approval? 

Use the following checklist to determine if you need to complete an application...

IRB Application Process 

If your research project requires IRB approval (see checklist above), you will need to complete all of the following steps. All of the following links are Word documents.

  1. Complete and sign the IRB Application Form
  2. Complete and attach the Disclosure Form.
  3. Complete and attach the Informed Consent Form (if applicable).
  4. Attach all other required documentation (data collection instruments, letters of agreement, etc., etc.).
  5. Write and attach a IRB Project Summary. It must answer all of the listed questions thoroughly, but if possible should not be more than a dozen pages long.
  6. For student applicants (only) forward your application form and all supporting documentation to your Faculty/Administrator Sponsor. The IRB will not accept student applications without prior review and approval by their sponsors. 
  7. Submit your application and all supporting documentation to the IRB either…

    ELECTRONICALLY to 

    HARDCOPY by regular mail to the following address: 

    Institutional Review Board (IRB) 
    Jan Schaeffler, Beacon Hall 215A
    Housatonic Community College, 
    900 Lafayette Blvd,
    Bridgeport, CT 06604. 

Connecticut Reporting Law 

In studies where there is the possibility of information concerning child/elder abuse or harm to self or others, the Informed Consent form must include the following language: 

The information provided to the researcher will be kept confidential with the exception of the following information, which must be reported under Connecticut law: Suspected cases of child or elderly abuse and information that individuals intend to harm themselves or others. 

Contact Information

Email:  

Tel:   203-332-5220 

Mail:  Jan Schaeffler, Beacon Hall 215A
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd
Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Review Timetable

The IRB will determine the level of review. Exempt, expedited, and full review applications will be completely reviewed within 1 month of submission.

Notification

All notifications to the Principal Investigator and Sponsor regarding questions, approvals, and denials are by email.

Extension of Approval

According to federal guidelines, approval for a project can be for a maximum of one year. If an approved project is or will not be completed by the project's end date specified in the application, the Principal Investigator must apply for extension of the original approval. 

Modification of Previously Approved Protocol

Any modifications to a previously approved protocol need review by the IRB to ensure the modification meets the requirements of the originally approved projects. Minor changes to the protocol can be addressed on the Modification Request Form. Extensive changes to any previously approved protocol are best addressed by submitting a new application.

Forms and Documentation