Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Report Improper Research Behavior

Anyone with information about possible improper research behavior committed by an OWU employee or student or committed on OWU property, is encouraged to immediately report the behavior to the OWU Institutional Review Board (IRB).

• Submit a report anonymously using the Event Reporting Form

Examples of reportable behaviors include, but are not limited to conducting human-subjects research that 1) is not currently approved by the IRB, 2) violates participants’ rights (e.g., no informed consent, coercion to participate, mental or physical harm), or 3) violates any part of the OWU HSR policy. Reports should provide as many details as possible about the research activities (e.g., interventions, tasks, or survey questions), location (e.g., building or residence), and the investigator (e.g., name, department, or major).

All reports will be kept anonymous, to the extent possible, by the IRB. In other words, your name, email address, IP address, or other identifying information will not be collected or recorded by the IRB, therefore, the IRB will not be able to link your report to you. Of course, you may choose to identify yourself in your report if you like, in which case, the IRB will keep your report confidential, to the extent possible.

All submitted reports will be available to the IRB Chair and the IRB Institutional Officer. Reports may also be shared with other members of the IRB.