Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Research Subjects (IRB)

The St. Philip’s College Institutional Review Board Committee ensures that all human subjects research conducted by or involving St. Philip’s College students, faculty, staff, and administrators follows all legal and institutional requirements for ethical human subject research.

Who must submit research approval to SPC IRB?

SPC Faculty, Staff, and Administrators Conducting Research

If you intend to share the results of your research at any conference or in any publication, you must gain the approval of the SPC IRB Committee before you begin gathering data.
If you are a graduate student conducting human subjects research for a class or educational program, you must gain the approval of the SPC IRB Committee before you begin gathering data.

SPC Students Conducting Research

If you are conducting human subjects research for a class or educational program, you do not usually need to seek approval from the SPC IRB because your instructor will supervise your project. You must follow all ethical requirements of human subject research. However, if your research involves more than minimal risk or collecting biospecimens from human subjects, you must seek SPC IRB approval.
If you are conducting human subjects research that is NOT part of a class or educational program, you must seek SPC IRB approval.

External Researchers

If you do not currently work for or attend St. Philip’s College and you would like to involve SPC students, faculty, staff, or administrators in your research, you MUST gain approval from SPC IRB BEFORE you begin gathering any data. We suggest starting with the SPC IRB process before starting with any other relevant IRBs.

Scope of SPC IRB

The SPC IRB provides stewardship for only SPC-related research. This IRB does not extend to any Independent School District or other college within the Alamo Colleges District.

Timeframe for Applying

Researchers should start this approval process a minimum of 6 months before collecting data; if working with another IRB, a minimum of 2 months. SPC IRB Committee reviews as needed (when forms are submitted) during the regular faculty contract months. The approval process often requires multiple researcher revisions. IRB approval is not guaranteed

Expect feedback within 10 business days (within the 9-month faculty contract period)
Requests submitted in summer/outside 9-month faculty contract period/during holidays take longer