Institutional Review Board

University of The Visayas
Institutional Review Board (UVJE)



At UV-IRB, we are dedicated to advancing the ethical standards and practices in health-related and social sciences research involving human participants. Our vision is to be a locally and internationally accredited and recognized body, setting the benchmark for ethical review, approval, and monitoring in research.


Vision

We envision UV-IRB as a beacon of ethical excellence, ensuring the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of all research participants. We strive for recognition on both local and global platforms for our commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in research.

Mission

As the UV-IRB, we are committed to:

  • Safeguarding the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of research participants.
  • Upholding education and training of investigators in ethical research conduct.
  • Continuing professional development of UV-IRB members.

Contact Information

Center for Research and Innovation

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Ethical Guidelines and Basic Requirements

The principles of the Belmont Report, encompassing respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, serve as the cornerstone of our ethical framework. These principles, combined with the humanitarian principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, guide our ethical review processes.

Center General Ethical Guidelines

UV-IRB integrates the ethical principles established in the Belmont Report, the Helsinki Declaration, and the Philippine National Health Research System into its institutional guidelines. Additionally, we extend our ethical considerations to encompass the treatment of animals and the protection of the environment.


Section 1: Respect

Respect is fundamental in our research endeavors. Researchers must ensure:

  • Utmost respect for human dignity and rights.
  • Full disclosure and comprehension of the study's nature by participants.
  • Voluntary and informed consent from participants.
  • Prudence and care in handling vulnerable subjects.
  • Humane treatment of animals.
  • Preservation of the environment.

Section 2: Beneficence

Beneficence guides our actions to prioritize participants' well-being. Researchers must:

  • Do no harm to participants.
  • Prioritize benefits that promote participants' well-being.
  • Assess potential benefits against risks, ensuring benefits outweigh risks.
  • Minimize risks to participants.
  • Prevent exploitation of participants.

Section 3: Justice

Justice ensures fairness and equity in research participation. Researchers must:

  • Treat all participants and animals fairly and justly.
  • Equally distribute risks and benefits among participants.
  • Protect participants' personal rights, including privacy.
  • Maintain integrity throughout the study.

At UV-IRB, we are committed to promoting ethical research practices that uphold the highest standards of integrity, respect, and justice. Together, we strive to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge while prioritizing the well-being of all involved.

IRB Procedure Flow

  • Submission of IRB Forms
    •   Fill out the Review Checklist, Application Form, and other required forms.
    •   Send all basic documents in a ZIP file to [email protected].

  • Submission Guidelines
    •   Indicate the study title, name, department, and course/degree in the email subject line. Example: (LAST NAME, YEAR) Title of Study.
    •   Include the documents listed in the Review Checklist (UVIRB Form 2.1A).

  • Completion of Documents
    •   Await IRB assessment results upon submission.
    •   Expect IRB assessment results within two days. Results may indicate exemption, expedited, or full board review.
    •   Prepare for payment process upon receiving assessment results.

  • Payment Process
    •   Follow the outlined process for payment.
    •   Send proof of payment via email to [email protected].

  • Resubmission Requirements
    •   Transfer IRB reviewer's comments to UVIRB Form 2.1h.
    •   Secure adviser's endorsement.
    •   Send revised study protocol and UVIRB Form 2.1h to [email protected].

  • Notice to Proceed (NTP)
    •   Submit soft copies of basic documents in a ZIP file to [email protected].
    •   Sign the Certificate of Agreement (COA) sent to your email.
    •   Follow instructions for COA signing and submission.
    •   Terms and conditions of COA apply, including filing reports on protocol deviations, providing progress reports, and renewing IRB Notice to Proceed.
    •   Notice to Proceed will be released upon compliance with all requirements.
    •   NTP allows the researcher to proceed with data collection under UVIRB's governance. Loss of NTP requires specific steps for reissuance.