Human Subjects Research
Human subjects research is vital to understanding health, behavior, and society—and ultimately, improving people’s lives. UTSA researchers work closely with individuals and communities, analyzing data and engaging with participants to explore important questions across medicine, education, psychology, public health, and beyond.
Human subjects research includes studies where researchers gather information through either direct interaction, or by analyzing identifiable data, such as medical records or transcripts. Human subjects research involves:
- Systemic investigation: including research development, testing, and evaluation.
- Generalizable knowledge: Study design is intended to produce data that can contribute to a new and larger body of knowledge.
- Human subject: A living individual about whom an investigator conducting research:
- Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and uses, studies or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or
- Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.
Human subjects research includes projects designed to explore questions, gather evidence or contribute new knowledge by studying living individuals or their personal data. At UTSA, any research involving people or their identifiable private information requires approval and oversight from our Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Our Institutional Review Board (IRB) supports this essential work by ensuring that all research involving people is conducted ethically, safely, and responsibly. We’re deeply committed to protecting the rights, privacy, and well-being of each person who generously participates in research, fostering trust in our institution and integrity in our discoveries.