The Methodist Healthcare Institutional Review Board (MHIRB) reviews research projects in order to ensure the following:

• Risks to the research subject are minimized
• Risks to the research subject are justified in relation to anticipated benefits
• Selection of subjects is equitable
• Subjects will be adequately informed of procedures, costs, risks and benefits of participating in the research project

The MHIRB has the authority to conduct:

• An expedited review for research involving no more than minimal risk to the subject, and
• A full review for research involving greater than minimal risk to the subject.

The MHIRB continuously reviews ongoing research projects, including study revisions, amendments, adverse events and protocol deviations for appropriate action. Random or for-cause periodic audits may be conducted as well. An investigator can request an audit.

MHIRB Membership, Meetings and Project Presentations
MHIRB membership is divided into two panels, which meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. New research studies up for review require a personal appearance by either the principal investigator or a physician member of the project's research team. Investigators conducting research at Methodist Healthcare must be affiliated with Methodist Healthcare and have the appropriate credentials to conduct the study.

Investigator Information
Investigator information is available to help you submit a new research project for review and includes:

• administration contact information
• meeting schedule and deadlines
• MHIRB roster 
• ethical codes
• various submission forms
• informed consent form template
• general guidelines and instructions
• review fee schedule
• Methodist Healthcare research policies

If you need a packet, please contact the MHIRB Administration.