Grand Valley State University has two IRB's, the Human Research Review Committee (HRRC) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).  HRRC and IACUC review applications for research involving human subjects and animals to assure compliance with ethican and Federal standards for the Protections of Human Subjects and Animals.

The HRRC and IACUC committees are comprised of GVSU faculty and volunteer community members who are not employees of GVSU.

IACUC Link

Research Involving Human Subjects

Federal regulations and GVSU policyies require that all research involving human subjects or materials of human origin be approved by the Human Research Review Committee before initiation.

The HRRC is GVSU's Institutional Review Board and it's primary responsibility is to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects.  The HRRC reviews research protocols using the following criteria:

(45 CFR 46.111)

• Procedures and research design do not unnecessarily expose subjects to risks.
• Risks to subjects are reasonable in relationship to anticipated benefits, if any.
• Selection of subjects is equitable, taking into account special problems of research involving vulnerable populations (e.g. pregnant women, prisoners, children, etc.).
• Informed consent will be effective and documented in writing (except in special circumstances)
• Where appropriate, adequate provisions are in place to monitor the collected data to ensure safety to subjects.
• Protections of the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of data are appropriate to the nature of the research and it's study design.

Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.  Activities which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program which is considered research for other purposes. 45 CFR 46.102(d)

Human Subject is defined as a living individual(s) about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention, or (2) identifiable private information.  45 CFR 46.102(f)

Examples of research with human subjects

• Interviews
• Telephone, Internet or mail surveys
• Behavioral or educational testing
• Observation of individual or group behavior
• Collection of blood or other biological samples
• Analysis of existing data (i.e., surveys, biological materials, medical records) that were originally collected for other purposes
• Intervention with a person's body or mental state

Overview  Explains the importance of the review committees, provides links to complete set of federal research regulations and schedules of all research training workshops and committee activities.

Support Materials  Forms and procedures needed by researchers for initial applications for protocol review, renewals, revisions, and closure.

Education  Links to CITI online training modules, HRRC workshops, meeting schedules, FAQs, and other resources.

Regulations and Guidelines  Links to applicable federal and state guidelines and other resources.

Announcements  Important conference dates, committee meeting schedules and regular updates of newly emerging regulations and ethics standards.

How Can We Help You?

Members of the HRRC and IACUC are available to meet with faculty, research staff, students or administrators for individual or group consultation.

Human Research Review Committee (HRRC)

Chair: Paul Reitemeier, Ph.D.
301-C DeVos,
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: (616) 331-3197 (Mon. - Thurs.)
Fax: (616) 331-6830
E-Mail: hrrc@gvsu.edu
Website: www.gvsu.edu/hrrc

Office Hours Monday - Thursday
8:00 A.M. -- 5:00 P.M.
Office is closed on Fridays and University holidays.