Conducting Research with Human Participants: An IRB Guide for Students and Faculty by Nathan Durdella is the only guidebook students and faculty will need to navigate the IRB process and secure swift approval of research protocols. This book serves as an advisor to walk researchers through all the details of drafting, submission, and revision of materials for Institutional Review Boards so they can complete their research projects or dissertations faster. This text walks readers through the history of Institutional Review Boards, the contemporary context of ethical research, strategies to effectively draft, submit, and revise an IRB protocol, and guidance on working with an approved protocol in the field. The latest updates to the Common Rule and other regulatory frameworks, including special protections for working with vulnerable groups, are covered throughout the text. Not every research project goes according to plan, so adverse events and reporting receive special coverage. A final chapter on ethical research practices beyond IRB compliance encourages researchers to think through how to exit the field of research and ensure their research benefits the individuals, families, and communities in which they work. Take the guesswork out of the IRB process from start to finish with this handy guide. 

Nathan Durdella (he/him/his) works to enhance graduate education and advance support for students in master’s and doctoral degree programs. Nathan writes about qualitative research methodology, human participant research, and family socialization and parent relationships with children who are students in graduate school. Nathan has published two books with SAGE Publishing Inc.—Conducting Research with Human Participants: An IRB Guide for Students and Faculty (2023) and Qualitative Dissertation Methodology: A Guide for Research Design and Procedures (2019)—and has previously authored or co-authored journal articles, chapters in edited volumes, blog posts, and more. Nathan is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he advises doctoral students, supervises doctoral student dissertation studies, and teaches graduate-level courses. In addition, Nathan currently serves as director of the education doctorate program at CSUN and enjoys guiding doctoral students on their journeys. Nathan has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science, a master’s degree in Latin American studies, a master’s degree in education, and a Ph.D. in education—all from UCLA.