Protection of Human Subjects Protocol

Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRBPHS)
University of San Francisco

Office Location
School of Education
2350 Turk Blvd.
Counseling Psychology Department, Rm 015

Message phone: (415) 422-6091
Fax: (415) 422-5528
Email: IRBPHS@usfca.edu

Links
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)

USF Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG)

Board Members

• Avis Austin, Ph.D., Public Member
• Noah Borrero, Ph.D., School of Education
• Nikki Gibbons, Public Member
  
• Margaret Hansen, Ed.D., School of Nursing
• Deborah M. Hussey Freeland, School of Law
• Diana Lattimore, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences
• Christy Lusareta, Coordinator
• Terence Paterson, Ed.D.,Co-Chair
• Maurice Penner, Ph.D., School of Business & Professional Studies
• Susan Prion, Ed.D., School of Nursing
• Peggy Takahashi, Ph.D., School of Business & Professional Studies
  
• Christine Yeh, Ph.D., Co-Chair

Objectives and Philosophy

The purpose of the IRB at USF is to safeguard the physical, social, and emotional well-being of individuals from whom information is obtained by USF researchers, whether through dissertations, theses, or classroom or independent projects. Methods may include surveys, experimental designs, and qualitative studies obtained through interviews, paper inventories or questionnaires, or the internet.

Two main principles are involved in protecting research subjects: full disclosure of all aspects of the research process, and confidentiality of research data.

Most research conducted at USF involves minimal risk, and if applications to the IRB contain evidence of full disclosure and confidentiality and are complete, the review process is efficient and is accomplished within two to three weeks.

Please note that student research and program evaluations do not always require IRB reviews. The sections addressing these issues can be found under “Common problems/solutions,” page link to the left.

The USF IRB does not use “expedited” nor “exempt” categories. You are welcome to consult with the IRB staff at any time before, during, or after submitting an application.

Requirement

Before carrying out any research involving human subjects, USF students and faculty must first obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRBPHS). Pilot studies as well as reliability and validity studies also need IRBPHS approval.

Two copies of the completed forms must be submitted to the following address:

IRBPHS
University of San Francisco
Counseling Psychology Department
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1071

For more information, please contact Dr. Terence Patterson, Ed.D., ABPP, Co-Chairperson of the IRBPHS; IRBPHS@usfca.edu.