Welcome to Governors State University in Chicago's Southland

At Governors State University all research involving human subjects must be reviewed by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

GETTING STARTED with the IRB

The IRB uses Cayuse, an electronic system that allows to review and manage IRB protocols from initial submission to closure. If you are new to the IRB process and need a Cayuse account, email the IRB at irb@govst.edu or contact Anna Bernadska, Assistant Director of Research Compliance, at abernadska@govst.edu.

If you get a “your Cayuse account has been disabled” message or experience other issues while trying to log into Cayuse, email irb@govst.edu or contact Anna Bernadska, Assistant Director of Research Compliance, at abernadska@govst.edu.

QUESTIONS about the IRB submission process? Email irb@govst.edu or contact Anna Bernadska, Assistant Director of Research Compliance, at abernadska@govst.edu.

IRB News
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Faculty Research Needs Survey
In March 2024, the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research conducted a survey of GovState faculty. The purpose of the survey was to identify areas where support for faculty research may be improved and to inform the university's future decisions about supporting research endeavors. You may review the results of the survey here.
CIRTification Training for Community Research Partners
GovState’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) has joined CIRTification Online, a free human research protection training program for community members participating in community-academic research collaborations. The program is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. We are excited to offer our community partners this training. For information about accessing this training for your community partners, contact the IRB at irb@govst.edu.
SMART IRB
GovState’s IRB has joined SMART IRB, the national IRB reliance initiative. SMART IRB (https://smartirb.org/) is a platform designed to ease common challenges associated with initiating multisite research and to provide a roadmap for institutions to implement the NIH Single IRB Review policy (effective date: January 25, 2018). For more information about SMART IRB, email irb@govst.edu.
SONA System for Student Research Participant Pool
OSPR and the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) have licensed the SONA system. SONA is a participant pool management software that facilitates recruitment of student participants for lab and online studies. For information about using SONA, contact Alli Cipra at acipra@govst.edu and Figen Karadogan at fkaradogan@govst.edu.
IRB Review
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IRB approval or a determination that the project is exempt from IRB review must be obtained before any research involving human subjects is initiated. Please review these documents to familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of the Principal Investigator and Faculty Advisor, and the IRB review process.
What does the IRB review?
Responsibilities of Principal Investigator
Responsibilities of Faculty Advisor
Review Types
Other IRB Determinations
IRB Review Process
CITI Training
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To fulfill the IRB's requirement for training in human subjects protection, researchers must complete training through CITI Program. Completion of training will certify a researcher for three years and enable the researcher to apply to the IRB for approval of research protocols.
Instructions for Researchers
Instructions for Undergraduate Students
Cayuse How-To's
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Use these Instructions to submit an application for IRB review.
How to Submit a Questionnaire for Non-Human Subjects Research
How to Submit an Application for Initial Review
How to Submit a Modification
How to Submit a Renewal
How to Submit a Modification
How to Submit a Closure Report
Consent Templates
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There is often a wide range of research activities and research participants, and one consent form may not be appropriate for all purposes. Depending on your needs, you may choose from the templates below.
Written Informed Consent Form
Short Consent Form for On-line Surveys
Verbal Consent Script
Additional Language for Consent Forms
Instructions for Consent Forms
Resources and FAQs
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These resources will assist you in preparing an application for IRB review.
Frequently Asked Questions about the IRB
Researcher's Guide to the IRB
Guidance for Student Researchers
Example for Student Researchers: Quantitative Design
Example for Student Researchers: Qualitative Design
Guidance on Recruitment of Research Subjects
Guidance on Snowball Recruitment
Guidance on Identifiability of Research Data
Guidance on Confidentiality vs Anonymity
Guidance on Compensation to Research Subjects
Zoom Guidance for IRB Studies
IRB Policies and Procedures
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The IRB is in the process of updating old and developing new policies and procedures for the review of human subjects research. You may review the IRB SOPs here.
IRB Education
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In this section, you can find recordings of IRB educational events and related materials.
October 19 Slides
October 19 Recording
Board Members
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IRB Chair
- Scott Getsoian, College of Health and Human Services
Provost Appointments
- Janet Brewer, College of Arts and Sciences
- Craig Anderson, Community Member
- Danielle Osmelak, College of Health and Human Services
- Lamise Shawahin, College of Education and Human Development
- Valentina Postelnicu, College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Senate Appointments
- Scott Getsoian, College of Health and Human Services
- Praggyan Mohanty, College of Business
- Nicholas Marra, College of Arts and Sciences
- Maria Valgoi, College of Education and Human Development
- Cari Didion, Library
Contact Information
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Email your questions to irb@govst.edu or call 708.534.4987
Feedback
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Anonymous IRB Feedback Form