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January 2025


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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.

Using AI in Human Research

Human research may entail the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or even the creation of AI models or algorithms. Due to the diverse involvement, investigators are encouraged to submit protocols involving AI for initial review via Full or Expedited review types to ensure applicable regulations will be applied to the review.



See the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Research category on the IRB Survival Handbook for guidance resources including the UK Advance Research Recommendations

Seeking IRB Community Members

The IRB is made up of diverse members including those from the community who are not affiliated with UK and those who are non-scientists. If you know research participants, friends, and/or family members who may be interested in serving as an IRB Member (i.e., in an unaffiliated and/or a non-scientist role), please share the information below.

 

The non-scientist member is vital – research review cannot proceed without a non-scientist member present. This member’s role is to ensure that research materials are readable and that participants will understand what they are volunteering for. This committee member must be:

A non-scientist (education, training, background, and occupation are in non-scientific fields);


  • Able to prepare for and attend most committee meetings; meetings are set for a particular weekday and are held about once every 3-4 weeks;
  • Able to attend occasional education sessions; and 
  • Comfortable with basic computer operations.

***Non-scientist Member Brochure [PDF]***

 

The unaffiliated member brings a unique community perspective to the table. This member’s role is to represent the general public’s concerns – to serve the community’s interests rather than those of the university. This committee member must be:


  • Not affiliated with the University of Kentucky, either directly or through an immediate family member;
  • Able to prepare for and attend most committee meetings; meetings are set for a particular weekday and are held about once every 3-4 weeks;
  • Able to attend occasional education sessions; and
  • Comfortable with basic computer operations.

***Unaffiliated Member Brochure [PDF]***


The Office of the Vice President for Research and the ORI appreciate volunteers and are always looking for interested and committed members. Contact Pam Stafford for more information (859-323-7399 or pastaf3@uky.edu).

E-Consent


E-consent may be used when obtaining informed consent in-person to enhance the process or when reaching out to potential participants remotely.



When using an E-consent process, the IRB should see the final format and all materials that the participant will see. This means uploading a representation of the full document into E-IRB. Unless signatures are waived, show representation of the electronic signature and date fields for the participant and, if applicable, the legally authorized representative (LAR). If the process includes a verbal discussion, be sure to include a field or drop-down box to indicate the name of the authorized study personnel obtaining informed consent.

 

Be sure to upload the E-consent document as an “Informed Consent/Parental Permission” Document Type in E-IRB so that the system will assign a stamp to it designating it as the IRB-approved document. Traditionally, this stamped document is the version that should be used to enroll participants, however, if the electronic system being used to obtain informed consent does not accommodate the IRB approval stamp, the electronic version without the stamp may be used.

See the ORI E-consent webpage for more information.

ORI E-Consent Webpage

Upcoming ORI Office Hours

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

11:30 pm - 12:30 pm



Tuesday, January 28, 2025

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm



Join Here
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