The MCN Institutional Review Board is a designated group that has the responsibility to review and monitor research involving human subjects. The purpose of the MCN Institutional Review Board is to assure, in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the rights, safety and welfare of human research subjects, particularly migrant farmworkers and other mobile, marginalized and vulnerable populations. Such safeguards include the use of protocols and procedures that are consistent with sound research design, equitable selection of research participants, informed consent, and adequate protection of the privacy of research participants.

The MCN Institutional Review Board, consistent with federal legal requirements, will review, approve, and monitor research conducted by MCN affiliated investigators, as well as by unaffiliated investigators whose principal interest is the health status of vulnerable and medically underserved populations.

Created in 1999, the MCN IRB consists of members who are well versed in the elements of informed consent, institutional processes of research, compliance with relevant regulations and ethical guidelines as well as having a clear understanding of what is needed to work effectively with a culturally and linguistically diverse study population, emerging research issues and new researchers. The MCN IRB staff can advise researchers in the development of a research protocol that complies with standard research procedures.

Federal law requires that an IRB review and approve any research involving human subjects before data collection is initiated. For ongoing projects, an annual review is necessary as is a mid-course review if protocol changes occur or unanticipated participant risks are identified. Legally effective informed consent must be obtained from study participants, or the IRB must approve a request to waive or alter the requirements of informed consent. More information on federal requirements for the protection of human research subjects can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/.

For more information about the IRB, check out the IRB Roles and Responsibilities.