F. Use of Human Subjects in Research

 (Note: OLPM sections on this page may be cited following the format of, for example, "UNH.VIII.F.1.1". These policies may be amended at any time, do not constitute an employment contract, and are provided here only for ease of reference and without any warranty of accuracy. See OLPM Main Menu for details.)


1.   Preamble

1.1   The University of New Hampshire (UNH) recognizes its responsibility to produce and disseminate knowledge in accordance with its mission of research, teaching, and public service. When non-human models are insufficient, use of human subjects in research is an integral aspect of scholarly activity at UNH. UNH recognizes its ethical and legal responsibilities to provide a mechanism to protect individuals involved as subjects in research conducted under the auspices of UNH. Accordingly, to protect the rights and welfare of every human subject involved in research activities, UNH maintains a policy on the use of human subjects in research. UNH strives to ensure that all members of its community understand and adhere to this policy.

2.   Definitions

2.1   Assurance: Federalwide Assurance of Protection for Human Subjects.

2.2   Human Subject: A living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or (2) identifiable private information.

2.3   Institutional Official: The individual designated by the UNH President to ensure that research involving human subjects conducted under the auspices of UNH is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This individual is the Senior Vice Provost for Research.

2.4   Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research (IRB): The committee established by the UNH President to oversee the use of human subjects in research conducted under the auspices of UNH.

2.5   Research: A systematic investigation (including research development, testing, or evaluation), designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.

2.6   The Belmont Report: The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research report titled Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research.

3.   Statement of the Policy

3.1   All UNH research activities proposing to involve human subjects must be reviewed and receive written, unconditional approval from the IRB before commencing. This applies to all research activities conducted under the auspices of UNH involving human subjects regardless of discipline or whether or not the activities are funded. In addition, all research activities involving human subjects must be conducted in accordance with:

3.1.1   Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to use of human subjects in research. These include, but are not limited to, Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 46; Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations for Human Subjects Protections, Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 50 and 56; and, the principles set forth in "The Belmont Report"; and

3.1.2   UNH policy as set forth in the Assurance.

4.   Applicability. This policy is applicable to any research activity:

4.1   Sponsored by UNH, or

4.2   Conducted by or under the direction of any employee, student, or agent of UNH in connection with his or her UNH responsibilities, or

4.3   Conducted by or under the direction of any employee, student, or agent of UNH involving the use of any UNH property or facility, or

4.4   Conducted by or involving any individual or institution working with UNH as part of a collaboration, subgrant, or subcontract.

5.   Examples. Examples of activities involving the use of human subjects covered by this policy include, but are not limited to:

5.1   Research involving surveys or questionnaires, administered in person, by mail, or via the telephone or electronically, designed to elicit information about individuals, including behaviors, experiences, attitudes, or beliefs.

5.2   Research involving interviews or focus groups designed to elicit information about individuals, including behaviors, experiences, attitudes, or beliefs.

5.3   Educational practices or tests conducted for research purposes.

5.4   Research involving program evaluation.

5.5   Research involving observation of public behavior.

5.6   Research involving the collection and/or study of data, documents, records, or biological, pathological, or diagnostic specimens, including voice or image recordings, medical, academic, or court records, and, invasive and noninvasive clinical procedures.

5.7   Clinical studies of drugs and medical devices.

6.   Effective Date

6.1   The requirements of this policy have been in effect since the execution of UNH's first Assurance on April 21, 1980.

7.   Administration of Policy

7.1   The Institutional Official is responsible for the administration of this policy and its procedures as set forth in the Assurance. Approval by the UNH President is required to amend this policy.

8.   Enforcement

8.1   The Institutional Official is responsible for enforcing this policy. Violations of this policy fall under the purview of the Assurance.

 

Reference:

UNH Federalwide Assurance of Compliance for the Protection of Human Research Subjects at https://www.usnh.edu/sites/www.usnh.edu/files/media/olpm/docs/unh/fwa-update-190118.pdf

 

This page last updated Friday, March 29, 2019. For information on the adoption and effective dates of policies please see explanation on the OLPM Main Menu.