IRB-Less Pub

 I started my own IRB last summer. Why? Well, I was tired of latching on to different universities. Every time I used K-State's IRB, I had to rope in Dr. K. And every time I published, since he didn't do anything more than latch onto my IRB, I never included him as an author. It felt weird. 

Texas A&M's IRB process took months to complete. That was one good thing about K-State's. It usually takes less than a week. 

I didn't even try the University of Florida's. I didn't know enough professors to hope to find a sponsor. 

Houston Christian? I don't even know if they have one. I don't think they're a "research" institution. If you don't do research . . . do you have an IRB?

So . . . I set up my own. It took a couple of weeks . . . and I had to get approval from the U.S. Dept of HHS, but I think it was worth it. Why? Well, because of this article I just had published with Engaged Management ReView (see HERE) . . . a Case Western Reserve Journal. 

No one would take this article. It's a good article too. Nothing "ground-breaking" per se, but certainly some worthwhile information. I tried, I believe, three different journals. The first, just straight up said they weren't interested. The second said they were interested and had some questions, but without an approved IRB they wouldn't take it. The third just said they wouldn't accept it without an approved IRB. That's when I threw up my hands. 

I decided I'd never again write an article that didn't have an IRB. That was when Dr. C told me, "Just go create your own IRB." So I did.