Table 1.

Research review committee member, function, U.S. regulation, and recruitment tips

Member	Function	U.S. regulation	Recruitment
Nonscientific	Voices concerns about potential research subjects and provides a broader community perspective	Protection of Human Subjects (2009): “at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas”	Human resources representative, local human rights committee representative
Nonaffiliated	Unbiased to organization’s financial concerns and represents a community perspective	Protection of Human Subjects (2009): “at least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with the institution and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution”	Can be a local scientist (e.g., physician) or retired professional (e.g., schoolteacher, administrator) who will not have a conflict of interest
Scientist	Provides expertise on experimental design for research that aligns with that of the organization	Protection of Human Subjects (2009): “at least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific areas”	Local university training program faculty members, relevant research authors aligned with organization’s activity
Competent experts	Supports projects that require additional expertise outside of that represented by the committee	Protection of Human Subjects (2009): “individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the review of issues which require expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the IRB”	Researchers who have recently published in the relevant area

IRB Institutional review board