The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews requests for research involving human subjects.
The purpose of the IRB is to ensure that participants are treated ethically according to federal
and local guidelines. All research conducted with human subjects by WCU faculty, staff, and
students is subject to IRB review.
Please note that the IRB approval process may take up to a month (although it is generally
completed in half that time). Requests for review of human subjects research are initially screened
by a single IRB member. If you want to ask the IRB liaison for your area of study questions to
improve your application, see this list. See the IRB Fact Sheet on the Resources for Investigators page
for more information.
To receive IRB approval, complete one copy of a Human Subjects Research IRB request form and
send it (with all applicable attachments) to:
Research Administration
Cordelia Camp Building, Room 110
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Voice 828-227-7212, FAX 828-227-7480