ABSTRACT
Although sexual scholarship encompasses several different disciplines, sexuality researchers typically work in settings where approval of an institutional committee is a prerequisite to conducting their research. These committees are referred to as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or Human Subjects Review Boards or Committees. This chapter considers the history and functioning of IRBs, potential concerns IRBs have about sexuality research in particular, and specific ethical issues that sexuality researchers may have to address that may not apply to non-sexuality researchers. This chapter also offers suggestions on how to craft sexuality-related IRB proposals that address concerns IRB members commonly have about this research topic.
