Institutional Review Board
Institutional Review Board
The Merced College Institutional Review Board (IRB) supports the ethical conduct of research involving human participants and helps protect the rights, privacy, safety, and welfare of individuals who participate in research associated with Merced College.
The IRB reviews research conducted by Merced College faculty, staff, and students, as well as research proposed by investigators from other institutions when Merced College students, employees, records, facilities, or other institutional resources are involved.
Merced College’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness oversees the District’s federally-recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Planning to Conduct Research at Merced College?
Research involving human participants may require review or a formal determination by the Merced College IRB before the research begins.
Researchers should submit the appropriate IRB application and receive a written determination before beginning recruitment, collecting research data, accessing identifiable records for research purposes, or conducting other human-subjects research activities.
Researchers may not determine for themselves that a project is exempt from IRB review. If you believe your project qualifies for an exemption, submit the Application for Exemption/Research Determination. The Merced College IRB will determine whether the project meets the requirements for exemption.
Approval or an exemption determination from another institution does not replace any review, determination, or institutional authorization required by Merced College.
Do I Need IRB Review?
If you are planning a project involving people, information about people, or access to Merced College students, employees, records, programs, or resources for research purposes, you may need to submit your project to the Merced College Institutional Review Board (IRB).
IRB review or a formal determination may be required for research involving surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, identifiable information or records, recruitment of Merced College participants, or research conducted through Merced College programs, facilities, or resources. This also applies to researchers from other institutions conducting research involving Merced College.
Classroom, Program Evaluation, and Institutional Activities
Not every activity involving people or data is considered human-subjects research. Some classroom activities, program evaluation, quality improvement, and institutional activities may not require IRB review.
When in doubt, ask before you begin. The IRB can help determine whether your project requires review and which application is appropriate.
Research Forms
Select the appropriate form below. If you are unsure which form to use, contact the Merced College IRB before submitting.
Types of IRB Review
The level of IRB review depends on the nature of the research, the level of risk, and applicable federal criteria.
Some human-subjects research may qualify for exemption under federal regulations. Exempt research may include certain educational practices, surveys, interviews, observations of public behavior, secondary research, and other activities that meet specific regulatory criteria.
Researchers may not make their own exemption determination. Submit the Exempt Research Determination application and the Merced College IRB will determine whether the project qualifies for exemption.
Certain minimal-risk research that does not qualify for exemption may be eligible for expedited review. Expedited review does not mean that IRB requirements are waived; it refers to the process through which qualifying research may be reviewed without consideration by the convened full board.
Research that does not qualify for exemption or expedited review, including research involving greater than minimal risk or other circumstances requiring review by the convened IRB, must undergo Full Board review. Research activities may not begin until the required review is complete and written approval has been issued.
Purpose, Authority & Principles
The primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to protect the welfare of human subjects used in research.
45 CFR Part 46 — Protection of Human Subjects
Federal regulations governing the protection of human participants in research, including the Common Rule and additional protections for certain populations.
OHRP Guidance
Guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections on applying federal human-subjects research requirements.
Institutional Authority
Merced College requires institutional review or determination for research involving human participants when the College’s students, employees, records, facilities, programs, or other institutional resources are involved, as applicable under College policy.
This requirement may apply regardless of the source of funding. Research conducted for a dissertation, thesis, academic study, or other research project may therefore require review or determination by the Merced College IRB.
Approval by another institution does not, by itself, replace any review, determination, or institutional authorization required by Merced College.
Beneficence — Minimize potential harm and maximize possible benefits.
Justice — Ensure the burdens and benefits of research are distributed fairly.
Respect for Persons — Respect individual autonomy and provide additional protections for persons with diminished autonomy.
IRB Composition
The Merced College Institutional Review Board is composed of members with diverse backgrounds, experience, and expertise appropriate to the research reviewed by the College.
In accordance with federal requirements 45 CFR 46.107, the IRB includes:
- At least five members with varying backgrounds and appropriate professional competence;
- At least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific areas;
- At least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas;
- At least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with Merced College and is not an immediate family member of an affiliated individual; and
- Members with sufficient knowledge and experience to evaluate research in light of institutional requirements, applicable law, professional standards, and the populations involved.
The IRB may use alternate members and may consult individuals with specialized expertise when appropriate. Consultants are not voting members of the IRB.
IRB Membership
| Name | Role / Expertise |
|---|---|
| Alfredo Mendoza | IRB Chair |
| Kody Stimpson | Institutional Effectiveness |
| Dr. Gary Gargano | Psychology |
| Dr. Denisha Dawson | Chemistry |
| Karrie Bullock | Library / Information Resources |
| Luis E. Flores | Institutional Research |
| Danielle Daïre-Benziger | Community Member; IRB Director, UC Merced |
| Donald Barclay | Community Member; Retired Academic Librarian, UC Merced |
| Name | Role / Expertise |
|---|---|
| To be appointed | Student representation provides an important student perspective and strengthens the IRB’s understanding of research involving the Merced College student community. |
| Name | Role / Expertise |
|---|---|
| Jenny McCaffery-Jones | Provides administrative and operational support to the IRB. |
Merced College IRB Vision Statement
The Merced College Institutional Review Board (IRB) is committed to increasing the quantity and quality of research conducted at the College. Research conducted at Merced College should reflect the College mission as well as the principles of academic freedom and the dedication to the pursuit of new knowledge.
Merced College is committed to protecting and ensuring the rights, privacy, and welfare of those individuals participating in research projects conducted at our institution.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Merced College Institutional Review Board is to protect the rights and welfare of the human research participants.
To accomplish our mission, we strive to:
- Maintain appropriate ethical conduct and regulatory compliance;
- Honor and respect all persons;
- Engage in a continuing quest for excellence;
- Use new technologies and practices in accomplishing our charge.
IRB Registration
The Merced Community College District (MCCD)/Merced College Institutional Review Board is registered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); registration number IORG0007554 and approved through November 22, 2027.