The IRB serves as an objective third party, an oversight committee, governed by Federal Regulations with the purpose of protecting and managing risk to human participants involved in research. Although these regulations specifically apply only to federally funded research, the policy of Plymouth State University is that all research conducted under its banner should meet the same standard. Following is a short list of specific goals of the IRB:
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To promote the safety and well-being of human participants
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To ensure adherence to the ethical values and principles underlying research
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To ensure that only ethical and scientifically valid research is implemented
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To allay concerns by the general public about the responsible conduct of research
