Institutional Review Board
Research that respects people.
Anyone who wants to conduct research with human subjects at Missouri Valley University, including survey research, needs approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Contact the IRB
Questions about your project?
Not sure if your project needs approval? Some projects are exempt. Contact the IRB for guidance.
About the IRB
Protecting research participants.
All institutions that conduct research with human subjects are legally required to have an IRB. Missouri Valley’s IRB reviews research projects proposed by, or involving as subjects, Missouri Valley employees and students.
The IRB makes sure projects reflect the ethical principles of respect, beneficence, and justice, and that they comply with federal regulations. Approved projects may be conducted at Missouri Valley within the limits set by the IRB and other institutional and federal requirements.
Federal guidelines
Acting in accordance with federal regulations
Missouri Valley’s IRB follows federal regulations established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the protection of human research subjects.
New to the IRB?
Enroll yourself in the IRB training course on Canvas. It’s designed to help students understand what the IRB is and why it matters.
Enroll in IRB training on Canvas → (opens in a new tab)
Is my project exempt?
Some projects are exempt and don’t need IRB approval. If you’re not sure, email the IRB before you begin.
Submit a proposal
Three steps to approval.
Use these documents to prepare and submit your research proposal.
Step 1
Read the instructions
Review the Instructions for Applicants to learn how to prepare and submit your research proposal.
Step 2
Complete your checklist
Complete the checklist for your type of review, either expedited or full.
Expedited Review Checklist (PDF) → (opens in a new tab)
Full Review Checklist → (opens in a new tab)
Step 3
Submit to the IRB
Email your proposal and checklist to the IRB. The IRB Handbook for committee members is available on request.
IRB members
Meet the board.
Faculty and staff from across the university review research proposals.
| Member | Role | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teresa Taylor, DHPE, MSN, RN | Chair; Associate Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing & Health Sciences | Oct. 2024–Aug. 2027 | taylortd@moval.edu |
| Claire Schmidt, PhD | Associate Professor of English, School of Arts & Humanities | Oct. 2024–Aug. 2027 | schmidtc@moval.edu |
| Earl Wellborn, PhD | Professor of Education, School of Education & Social Sciences (completing Lisa Rice’s term) | Aug. 2023–Aug. 2026 | wellborne@moval.edu |
| Waylon Hiler, MS | Associate Professor of Biology, School of Science & Agriculture | Aug. 2022–Aug. 2025 | hilerw@moval.edu |
| Okey Peter Onyia, PhD, MPhil, MBA, BA (Hons) | Associate Professor of Business/Marketing, School of Business & Technology | Sept. 2026–Aug. 2029 | onyiao@moval.edu |
| Katie Kirby, MA, NCC, LPC-S | Director of Counseling Services, Counseling Center | Oct. 2024–Aug. 2027 | kirbyk@moval.edu |
Planning a research project?
Contact the IRB early for guidance on whether your project needs review and how to submit.