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About Controverted Issues

Launched in August 2020, Controverted Issues is a university blog created to share information, news, and perspectives on human subjects research at Ohio State. We aim to provide articles, view points, and best practices that will be of interest to investigators, research staff, and IRB members alike.

The Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) describes controverted issues as arising when IRB members “express a difference of opinion, or raise issues, questions or concerns that cause debate among the IRB members, or even result in disagreement.” Such debates are not relegated to the IRB meeting room alone but are intrinsic to the conduct of research with human participants around the world. We believe interrogating these areas of ethical ambiguity clarifies one’s understanding of federal regulations and international norms. Join us as we explore controverted issues and their impact on human subjects research at Ohio State.

Controverted Issues is managed by the Office of Responsible Research Practices at The Ohio State University.


About ORRP


The Office of Responsible Research Practices (ORRP) provides administrative services to university researchers that facilitate research, improve review efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance with research requirements. Housed within ORRP is the Ohio State University Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), which adheres to the ethical principles for the protection of research participants summarized in the Belmont Report and complies with federal regulations, guidance, and state laws related to human subjects protection. ORRP staff also support the university committees responsible for review and oversight of research involving animals and biohazards.

Infographic of Ohio State's 6,200 active studies
Click to enlarge infographic

Left: Summary of human subjects research conducted at Ohio State University as of March 2021.

For more infographics about our HRPP, see the December 2021 ORPP By the Numbers blog post.