North Shore Community College encourages faculty, staff and students to pursue scholarly research. To support this research NSCC operates an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure that appropriate standards are met in the treatment of human subjects. The IRB is registered with the federal Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) which is part of The Department of Health and Human Services. This registration and the assurance associated with it (Federalwide Assurance) means that NSCC protects the rights and welfare of human participants in research according to federal regulations and approved practices. The ethical principles that are fundamental to a federally registered Institutional Review Board are:
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Respect for Persons represented by informed consent
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Beneficence represented by risk/benefit assessments
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Justice represented by the fair selection of research subjects and fair selection of outcomes
The IRB is charged with reviewing, approving or requiring modifications in research using human subjects conducted by, or through, NSCC. The IRB does not evaluate the merits of the research or research design but is solely responsible for assuring compliance with ethical standards for the informed consent, confidentiality, and risks related to participants. To learn more about the IRB process and how to apply for IRB review for your research project, please follow the links on the left.
About the Institutional Review Board
NSCC's Institutional Review Board is comprised of 9 active voting members from various backgrounds.
Walter Stone, Ed. D., Assistant Dean of STEM and Education (Chair)
Christian Bednar, Ph. D., Interim Dean of Liberal Studies
Bethany Croteau, M. S. Reference and Instruction Librarian
Shannon Butler Mokoro, Professor, Social Work, Merrimack College
Kristen Erbetta, Ph. D., Professor, Behavioral Science
Margaret Figgins-Hill, Ed. D., Professor, Coordinator, Women in Transition
Steven Hubbard, Ph. D., Dean of STEM and Education
Laurie LaChapelle, M. Ed., Assistant Vice President, Planning, Research, Grants, and
Assessment
Christine Shaw, Ph. D., Academic Director, Merrimack College
IRB contact: Walter Stone
Email: wstone@northshore.edu
Phone: 978-762-4000 extension 6292
The IRB schedules meetings to review applications as needed throughout the calendar year. Please email the Chair with specific questions about the application process or about timelines for review.