The Principal Investigator (PI) directs a research project or program and is responsible for the design, conduct, and reporting of research. Only individuals with a current faculty, staff, or student affiliation with the University of Texas at Arlington can serve as the PI of a UTA IRB protocol.

Regardless of whether the PI is UT Arlington faculty, staff, or student, the PI is always responsible for the following:

i.   the protection of human subjects and the ethical conduct of research in compliance with federal regulations and University policies and procedures;

ii.  obtaining IRB approval prior to initiation of any research involving human subjects;

iii.  delegation of all responsibilities of the study to research staff who are listed as IRB protocol personnel and for ensuring that responsibilities are delegated to individuals who are qualified and appropriately trained to conduct those responsibilities;

iv.  oversight of the research study and the protocol/research personnel staff to ensure that the study is conducted in accordance with the IRB-approved protocol, UT Arlington Policies and procedures and all regulatory requirements;

v.   obtaining IRB approval via a modification request prior to the implementation of any changes from the approved version of the protocol, and for submitting continuing reviews in a timely manner when required;

vi.  obtaining informed consent and data from human subjects in a manner consistent with federal regulations and in accordance with an IRB-approved protocol;

vii.  submitting prompt reports of any unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects or others, or non-compliance with federal regulations or determinations of the IRB;

viii.  maintaining the confidentiality of human subject data as specified in the IRB protocol, and for maintaining records and documentation in accordance with federal regulations and University policies.

Students may act as the PI of an IRB protocol; however, the student’s instructor or mentor on the project must be listed as the Faculty Advisor/Supervising Investigator on the IRB protocol. Oftentimes, the student’s thesis or dissertation advisor is listed as faculty advisor. If the advisor changes over time through the course of the student’s academic career, the IRB protocol must be updated accordingly via the submission of a modification request in the electronic system. Faculty Advisors share responsibility with a student PI and maintain certain authority over the student-led research.

Adjunct Researchers will need to enlist a full time UTA faculty member to serve as PI or Co-PI on the protocol. The UTA faculty member will have ultimate responsibility for protocol compliance and oversight of the project. In addition, statements from the department Chair and the college Dean, stating the project’s benefit to the college/department/UTA will be required. These items will need to be in place prior to the IRB’s review of the protocol.