Participating in Research

The UNMC Institutional Review Board is the institutional entity charged with protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects involved with human subject research conducted at UNMC and its affiliated entities: Nebraska Medicine, Children’s Nebraska and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The IRB is responsible for reviewing and approving all non-exempt human subject research before any research activities may begin. It is the mission of the IRB to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of human research subjects and facilitate excellence in human subject research in accordance with the highest ethical standards in full compliance with all applicable regulatory and organizational requirements.

It is important that all research participants understand the following policies.

As a research subject, you have the right:

• To be told everything you need to know about the research before you are asked to decide whether or not to take part in the research study. The research will be explained to you in a way that assures you understand enough to decide whether or not to take part.
• To freely decide whether or not to take part in the research.
• To decide not to be in the research, or to stop participating in the research at any time. This will not affect your medical care or your relationship with the investigator or the Nebraska Medical Center.  Your doctor will still take care of you.
• To ask questions about the research at any time. The investigator will answer your questions honestly and completely.
• To know that your safety and welfare will always come first. The investigator will display the highest possible degree of skill and care throughout this research. Any risks or discomforts will be minimized as much as possible.
• To have privacy and confidentiality. The investigator will treat information about you carefully, and will respect your privacy.
• To keep all the legal rights you have now. You are not giving up any of your legal rights by taking part in this research study.
• To be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

The Institutional Review Board is responsible for assuring that your rights and welfare are protected.  If you have any questions about your rights, contact the Institutional Review Board at (402) 559-6463 or by email.