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(See more details at CPHS website: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~cphs)

The Dartmouth CPHS (the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects) serves as the IRB (Institutional Review Board) for Dartmouth College, the Hitchcock Clinic, Dartmouth Medical School, Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and the Department of Veteran Affairs (White River Junction). The mission of the CPHS is to protect the rights and welfare of research participants.

Review is required by the CPHS prior to initiation of the project whether or not a funding source is available. This applies to ALL research involving people including but not limited to clinical, social science, and behavioral. Any research study involving human subjects must be submitted to the CPHS (a sample application is here, CRAWDAD ID required).

The CPHS determines if a study meets the federal definition of research: "a systematic investigation including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge." The CPHS then requires the researchers:

   1. To conduct research according to ethical principles, federal regulations, and internal procedures.
   2. To ensure participants are informed prior to enrollment and that communication continues throughout the study.
   3. To protect the rights and welfare of human research participants.
   4. To keep Co-investigators and all research staff informed about the nature and goals of the project.
   5. To obtain CPHS approval for revisions prior to initiation.
   6. To report progress in a continuing review of approved research to the CPHS Office at least once a year.
   7. To report to the CPHS any serious injuries or other unanticipated problems involving risks to participants or others.

The CPHS also requires an informed consent for IRB approval. The consent process must provide potential participants with sufficient information to make informed choices about either beginning or continuing participation in research. The process involves a dynamic and continuing exchange of information between the research team and the participant throughout the research experience. The consent form is a tool to assist the researcher.

All investigators and research personnel must complete an IRB education session or approved online tutorial. Final IRB approval will be contingent on completion of an IRB Education Session.