University of Virginia is committed to ensuring that educational opportunities are offered to research participants, prospective research participants, and community members which will enhance their understanding of research involving human participants at University of Virginia and provide them the opportunity to provide input and express concerns.

The following procedures describe how University of Virginia fulfils that responsibility.

Responsibility 

It is the responsibility of the IRB Directors to implement the procedures outlined below.

Outreach Resources and Educational Materials

  • The HRPP office dedicates a section of the website to research participants entitled “For Research Subjects.” This website includes resources, such as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), University of Virginia designed brochures (Volunteering in Research), and a listing of relevant research-related links.
  • The "For Research Subjects” includes information regarding how to contact University of Virginia with any questions or concerns about specific research projects or research in general.
  • The “For Research Subjects” includes a “Contact Us” link that allows members of the community to ask questions, express concerns, or provide feedback. Provision of contact information by the person is optional.
  • University of Virginia periodically provides presentations related to research to community organizations.
  • University of Virginia holds an annual “Research Day” to which members of the public are invited.

Evaluation

On an annual basis, the University of Virginia evaluates its outreach activities and makes changes when appropriate. The following are examples of methods to evaluate outreach:

  • The specific community outreach activities being used
  • Whether these community outreach activities have an evaluative component (e.g., evaluation instrument distributed to participants), and if so whether the feedback was positive, negative, or neutral and if any suggestions were made that could be used to enhance future activities.
  • The number of times the “For Research Subjects” is visited
  • Feedback provided via the “Contact Us” mechanism on the “For Research Subjects”
  • Feedback provided from other sources (unaffiliated IRB members, investigators, research staff, students, etc.)

The results of the review will be used to establish both the adequacy of current outreach activities and any additional resources that may be needed to meet the needs of the research community regarding participant outreach.