CSU Channel Islands is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of people who participate in research. The CSUCI Institutional Review Board (IRB) operates in accordance with applicable federal regulations, ethical principles, and University policy. 

Federal Regulations and Ethical Principles 

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides guidance and regulatory oversight for the protection of human participants in research. 

The primary federal regulations for human subjects research are found in 45 CFR 46. Subpart A of these regulations, commonly known as the Common Rule, establishes core requirements for IRB review, informed consent, and institutional oversight. Additional protections apply to certain populations, including pregnant women and fetuses, prisoners, and children. 

The Belmont Report provides the ethical foundation for human subjects research. Its three core principles are: 

• Respect for persons: Recognizing individual autonomy and providing additional protections for people with diminished autonomy. 

• Beneficence: Minimizing potential harms and maximizing potential benefits. 

• Justice: Ensuring the fair selection and equitable treatment of research participants. 

CSUCI Policy 

The CSUCI Policy on Use of Human Subjects provides the University’s framework for protecting research participants and for meeting institutional responsibilities related to human subjects research. 

Investigators are responsible for understanding and following the policies, regulations, and requirements applicable to their research. Questions about how these requirements apply to a proposed study should be directed to the IRB Office.