Institutional Review Board

Highest standards of research and innovation

Faculty members in discussion during a review board meeting

Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research

The Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research (IRB) provides a mechanism to protect individuals involved as subjects in research conducted under the auspices of the University, in line with ADU’s ethical and legal responsibilities. The IRB must review any research conducted at, supported by, or affiliated with Abu Dhabi University involving human subjects before the initiation of the study. The aim is to ensure that the rights of the human subjects are not violated in any way, either physically or emotionally. Based on the potential level of risk for human subjects, research projects may be exempt from review, expedited, or be subjected to a full review as detailed in the Board’s policy and guidelines.

The IRB includes a representative of each College and program, in addition to an ethicist, a science representative, a non-science representative, and the Director of Research as an ex-officio, non-voting member.

The review process is based on the Board’s mandating policy and guidelines, using the concept of minimal risk to decide the extent to which the subject’s interests warrant a formal and extensive review of the research proposal.

Principles constitute the basis for the review process

The following three principles constitute the basis for the review process.

The subjects must give their free and informed consent to participate in the research.

Researchers must protect subject confidentiality.

Potential risks to subjects must be balanced by the potential benefits of the research and must be fully disclosed to the subjects.

Are Human Subjects Involved?

A human subject is a living individual about whom a researcher obtains data through intervention or interaction with the individual or identifiable private information.

If the project does not meet the definition of research or does not include human subjects, then it does not require IRB review.

If you are uncertain whether your project is research, please contact IRB@adu.ac.ae for advice.

IRB - Exempt Application

 

IRB - Expedite Application

 

IRB - General Guidelines

 

We collaborates with global universities

Logo of a research partner institution collaborating with Abu Dhabi University.
Partner institution logo in black and white design
Logo of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi with Arabic and English text and a globe symbol.
University of Sharjah – Research and academic partner of Abu Dhabi University.
University of Toronto campus – A research partner of Abu Dhabi University.
Mott MacDonald logo with bold black text and two large “M” initials on white background.
University of Reading logo featuring shield with red background and yellow shells on top.
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) – A research partner of Abu Dhabi University.
University of Technology Sydney logo – International academic partnership with Abu Dhabi University.
Collaborative logo between GU and USM universities
Trinity College Dublin logo with Irish and English text and university crest in blue and white.
University partnership banner for GU-TUB collaboration
McMaster University logo featuring text and a crest with an eagle, book, and maple leaf emblem.
Qatar Research and Technology Alliance logo – Abu Dhabi University partner
Logo of Beirut Arab University – Abu Dhabi University research partner.
The University of Arizona – A research partner of Abu Dhabi University.
Lancaster University – A global academic partner of Abu Dhabi University.
Carleton University – Academic and research partner of Abu Dhabi University.