SHP IRB Protocol Oversight Review Form (PORF)
Before submitting your study for IRB review, the School of Health Professions (SHP) requires completion of the Protocol Oversight Review Form (PORF).
This step ensures your project has been reviewed and approved at the department level before being routed to the UAB IRB.
Access the SHP IRB PORF
You can access and complete the form directly through Adobe Sign.
Access the SHP-IRB-PORF Form
All submissions are routed electronically through Adobe Sign for review and signature.
Pre-PORF Review Process
- Before submitting the PORF to the IRB, your proposal must be reviewed by your Department Reviewer and signed by your Department Signatory (see list below).
- After the Departmental official signs, Dr. Ritu Aneja, Associate Dean for Research & Innovation, who is the IRB Liaison for the School of Health Professions will provide the official school sign-off on the PORF administratively.
Department Review Contacts
CDS Reviewer:
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CDS Signatory:
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CDS Review Process
HSA Reviewer:
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HSA Signatory:
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HSA Review Process
NS Reviewer:
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NS Signatory:
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NS Review Process
OT Reviewer & Signatory (OTD Capstone Projects):
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OT Reviewer & Signatory (Non-Capstone, All Others):
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OT Review Process
PT Reviewer:
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PT Signatory:
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PT Review Process
Research Collaborative Reviewer:
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Research Collaborative Signatory:
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OIRB Helpful Tools
The UAB Office of Institutional Review Board for Human Use (OIRB) has several helpful tools for you to use before you work on their IRB protocol:
- Quality Improvement (QI) Self-Determination Tool – Helps researchers determine whether a project qualifies as quality improvement (QI) or program evaluation rather than human subjects research under 45 CFR 46. If a project is deemed QI or program evaluation using this tool, no further action or submission to the IRB is required.
- IRB Review Category Self-Determination Tool – A Microsoft Form that walks researchers through key questions to identify the correct IRB review category and directs them to the necessary fact sheet for application completion. This tool is intended to help researchers make informed decisions for their research application, but it does not constitute official IRB review determination—final decision will be made by the OIRB.
- Not Human Subjects Research (NHSR) – Some studies may qualify as Not Human Subjects Research (NHSR) if they do not meet the federal definition of research or human subjects’ involvement. Researchers must still apply to the IRB for an official determination before proceeding with their study.