SU & Federal Policies

Seattle University Research Policies

Seattle University is committed to supporting a research community of the highest integrity, especially with regard to the collegial, professional, and ethical process of conducting research.

To help promote research integrity, the Office of the Provost has provided a definition of “Research Misconduct,” the steps for making an allegation of Research Misconduct, the steps for examining and acting on such allegations, and the efforts the university will make to foster responsible conduct and provide training intended to prevent Research Misconduct.

For more information, please review the policies and the procedures available on the Academic Affairs website, paying particular attention to the latest version of the SU Faculty Handbook.

For information about research supported through the Office of Sponsored Projects, please see their website and accompanying policies.

Seattle University IRB Policies & Procedures

The Seattle University IRB is registered with the U.S. Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Its Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) has been approved by the OHRP.

  • Assurance #: FWA00010533
  • Expiration Date: 7/31/2026

This registration and approval means that the SU IRB its Office of Research Oversight is tasked -- by both the university and federal authorities -- with ensuring institutional compliance around research involving human subjects and their data. 

Deans, department chairpersons, program directors, faculty advisers, and individual investigators must be familiar with IRB policies and procedures as detailed throughout the IRB website. Interpretation of IRB policies and procedures is solely the right and responsibility of the IRB and its Office of Research Oversight. 

Seattle University and the SU IRB recognize that "honest" errors may occur in the research process. To distinguish instances of knowing and willful research misconduct from “honest” errors, simple carelessness, and minor infractions, the IRB may conduct a for-cause audit.

Federal Policies on Human Subjects Research

The Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP), within the Department of Health & Human Services, is the federal authority that issues guidance on the welfare and protections of individuals involved in human subjects research. The OHRP is also the authority with whom U.S. institutions register their IRBs and obtain their FWAs.

Institutions receiving federal funds must have an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review and monitor all funded human subject research. Additionally, institutions must submit periodic letters of assurance to the federal government indicating compliance with the regulations. Seattle University IRB’s Federal Wide Assurance (FWA), which is on file with the HHS, commits Seattle University to abide by the Common Rule for all federally funded research.

Please refer here for Further OHRP Guidance.

The Common Rule

The Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, known as the Common Rule, establishes regulations for all research involving human subject participants. OHRP within HHS retains general jurisdiction over these matters.

The Belmont Report

Additionally, Seattle University IRB's FWA has assured the federal government that it will review all human subjects research according to the ethical principles of the Belmont Report, regardless of whether studies are funded.

Published in 1978 by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, the Belmont Report identifies three ethical principles for research involving human subjects and offers guidelines for meeting them. 

The principles are Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice.