March 2024


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The IRB Review

A compilation of information, announcements, & updates for UK Institutional Review Board (IRB) members, research investigators, & others involved with human subject research.

Road to Reaccreditation

UK's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) brings together all constituents and stakeholders to protect the rights and welfare of research participants and build public trust in research. We demonstrate this commitment through accreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP).



ORI has begun the arduous reaccreditation process which involves program review and a two-step application, culminating with a site visit assessment. At the site visit, AAHRPP will randomly select and interview researchers, staff, IRB members, and others involved in human subject research.


Stay tuned for updates, training opportunities, and resources provided on our AAHRPP Re-Accreditation Website.

Which Attribute to Check in the E-IRB Application?


Checking boxes on your IRB application may not seem important, but they are key to identifying applicable regulatory requirements, branching logic in the application, and accurate reporting for the institution. Knowing whether an attribute applies to your research can be tricky, so check for tool tips and ask UK ORI for clarification when unsure. Also, the right hand column on the Research Attributes page provides links to guidance for the investigator.


One such nuanced selection is the broad category of Clinical Research and the sub-category of Clinical Trial. See the ORI FAQ for detailed definitions. The category of Clinical Research refers to a broad range of studies conducted in collaboration with human beings, undertaken to improve human health, e.g.,


  • Translational research (in which laboratory and clinical activities are closely aligned)
  • Clinical trials of diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies
  • Epidemiology
  • Behavioral research
  • Health services and outcomes research

In general, Clinical Trials typically involve a research intervention. To determine if your research is a Clinical Trial, we recommend the NIH Interactive tool below:

NIH Definition of a Clinical Trial

In the late 1950s, pregnant women across Europe and the United States were given Thalidomide as a sleeping aid and to help with nausea. While the drug was approved in Europe, it did not have FDA approval in the United States. Tragically, Thalidomide caused severe birth defects and deaths in babies.

As a result, FDA safety regulations became more stringent and more excluding of women as participants in research. The National Institute of Health (NIH) responded to activist demands to include women and minorities in research with an inclusion policy. Congress added the NIH inclusion policy into the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-43). In March of 1994 in Human Research History, NIH announced researchers must comply with the inclusion criteria of Public Law 103-43 to receive NIH grant funding.

True or False?


A research study is considered to meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial even if the study uses healthy participants or does not include a comparison group (e.g. placebo or control).

***Keep Reading for the Answer***

Upcoming ORI Office Hours


Tuesday, March 19, 12:o0 - 1:00 pm



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Click Here for All Office Hours Dates/Times

The Office of Research Integrity offers consultations by phone, Zoom, or in-person. Consultations are offered for studies in development (with or without an E-IRB submission) as well as approved research projects.

Click Here to Request a Consult

Answer to the Trivia Question: True


A research study is considered to meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial even if:


  • Your study uses healthy participants or does not include a comparison group (e.g., placebo or control)


Additionally, if:


  • Your study is only designed to assess the pharmacokinetics, safety, and/or maximum tolerated dose of an investigational drug
  • Your study utilizes a behavioral intervention
  • Your study uses an intervention for the purposes of understanding fundamental aspects of a phenomenon.