Saint Joseph’s University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Human Subjects Research

The mission of the Saint Joseph’s University Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to safeguard the rights, privacy, and welfare of all human participants in research conducted by SJU faculty, staff, and students. The IRB is committed to facilitating ethical research that aligns with federal regulations and the University’s values, ensuring both participant protection and high-quality research support. The IRB has the authority to review, approve, modify, or disapprove research protocols, guided by the Protection of Human Subjects Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46), the Belmont Report, and the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) requirements.

Saint Joseph’s University, rooted in its Catholic and Jesuit mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and ethical conduct. The IRB ensures that all research involving human subjects adheres to the highest ethical standards, reflecting the University’s commitment to intellectual achievement, moral discernment, and social justice.

The IRB operates following the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report—respect for autonomy, beneficence, and justice—and complies with Title 45, Part 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations and OHRP guidelines. These principles, combined with the University’s Jesuit values, provide a framework for protecting human subjects while promoting ethical research that contributes to knowledge and the greater good of society.

The following principles guide Saint Joseph’s University’s policies for reviewing research involving human subjects:

1. Balancing Benefits and Risks: The potential benefits to participants or the significance of the knowledge gained must outweigh any inherent risks to individuals.
2. Voluntary Participation and Informed Consent: Participation in research must be voluntary, with informed consent obtained from all participants unless explicitly waived by the IRB.
3. Right to Withdraw: Participants may withdraw from a study at any time or decline participation without losing any benefits to which they are otherwise entitled.
4. Confidentiality and Privacy: Investigators are obligated to protect the confidentiality of participant information obtained during research.

Equitable Review: The IRB applies consistent standards to all research protocols, regardless of funding status, sponsorship, or whether the research is conducted on or off campus. Additional reporting requirements may apply for funded projects as required by funding agencies.

The IRB supports Saint Joseph’s University’s mission to instill a love of learning, moral discernment rooted in Christian values, and a commitment to social justice. By adhering to federal regulations, the Belmont Report, and Jesuit principles, the IRB ensures that research conducted at SJU upholds the dignity and rights of human participants while advancing knowledge for the common good.