Hendrix College is committed to the ethical treatment of all human participants in research conducted by its faculty, staff, and students. The Hendrix College Human Subjects Review Board (HSRB) is responsible for reviewing all research done under the auspices of the college and to ensure that, in each project, human participants are treated in a just and ethical manner. Hendrix College will comply with the regulations of the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the Protection of Human Research Subjects (Part 46 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended) and with the principles set forth in the Report of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, entitled Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research (also know as the Belmont Report). Copies of both documents are available in the offices of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Life Sciences. The three basic principles of the Belmont Report are respect for persons (acknowledging autonomy and protecting those with diminished autonomy), beneficence (maximizing possible benefits while minimizing possible harm), and justice (sharing equitably the burdens and benefits in the population).
For each research project conducted at Hendrix College, the HSRB shall be responsible for ensuring the following:
A. Any costs and risks to participants will be outweighed by the sum of the benefit to the participants and the importance of the knowledge to be gained in order to warrant approval of the proposed project.
B. The rights and welfare of all participants will be adequately protected.
C. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants in accordance with HSRB policies.
D. On-going projects will be reviewed at timely intervals (at least once a year).
E. The HSRB shall have jurisdiction over the collection and analysis of data that utilize the participation of human participants and are intended primarily for research purposes.
There are two types of research that must be brought to the HSRB:
1. Any research that involves more physical, mental, psychological, or social risk than people would experience on a daily basis. It doesn't matter the type of research – it could be interview, survey, or experimental. If the research asks about sexual or health history, or inquires about any other socially sensitive information, it must come through the board.
2. Any research that will be published or presented off campus. Please note that undergraduate research conferences have an exemption.
Submitting HSRB Proposals
A paper copy (submitted ina manila envelope) and an electronic copy of HSRB proposals need to be submitted to Dr. Leslie Zorwick (DW Reynolds 106; Zorwick@hendrix.edu),the chair of the HSRB. It typically takes 5-10 business days for an initial review to be conducted, at which point changes or additional information may be requested. It is therefore imperative that you request review in plenty of time to go through this process before the start date of your research.
The HSRB will only review proposals turned in during Weeks 1-13 of each semester. So, if you intend to do research over a winter or summer break, be proactive about submitting research proposals early.
Researchers can also email and request a summer review (please note that there is no winter break review), but there needs to be a compelling reason that is directly related to the research (i.e., part of a summer research experience involves faculty and students writing an HSRB proposal). For summer review to be considered, this request must be made during week 1-13 of the semester prior to the research and there is no guarantee that summer review will be granted.
Hendrix College Policies and Procedures
Checklist for HSRB Submission
Do I need to go through the HSRB?
Is my study minimal risk or at risk?
What Counts as Research with Human Subjects?