At Chesapeake College, we encourage and support scholarly endeavors across our student, faculty, and staff communities, as well as external researchers. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) plays a critical role in safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects while promoting high-quality, ethical research that aligns with the highest standards of integrity.

The Role of the IRB

The Chesapeake College IRB is responsible for ensuring that research involving human subjects is conducted ethically and responsibly. The IRB reviews proposed projects to:

  • Ensure that human subjects are treated ethically
  • Confirm that participants are fully informed and consent to the research
  • Guarantee anonymity and confidentiality of private information

The IRB is empowered to approve, modify, or disapprove research activities involving human subjects, evaluating each project based on compliance with ethical standards, informed consent, confidentiality, and risk to participants.

IRB Guidelines (PDF)

Application Process

To apply for IRB approval, researchers must complete the IRB Application Form and submit it to the IRPA office for review.

Policies

Research involving surveys of Chesapeake College populations (students, employees, or affiliates) follows strict guidelines to protect participant information. The college does not release contact details; instead, an intermediary communicates with participants to ensure data privacy. Surveys must not collect personally identifiable information unless explicitly necessary for compensation purposes.

All proposed surveys must include a consent form with key details, including the study’s purpose, duration, procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality, and participants’ right to withdraw. The form must also include contact information for both investigators and the IRB.

Survey Guidelines

Surveys must meet the following criteria:

  • Purpose and selection criteria
  • Duration of participation
  • Procedures explained from the participant’s perspective
  • Risks and benefits of participation
  • Confidentiality measures to protect participant data
  • Right to decline or withdraw
  • Contact details for investigators and IRB
  • Compensation details (if applicable)
  • Statement of consent confirming participants’ understanding of the study

Data Privacy

Chesapeake College enforces strict data privacy measures. The IRB reserves the right to suppress disclosure of data to protect individuals in small groups or with unique characteristics. Additional data may be suppressed to ensure anonymity.