Quickstart guide for researchers

All human research conducted by University researchers, including students, must have written documentation of either approval or exempt determination by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before any research activities can begin.

Do I have to submit my project for review?

Projects must be submitted for review if they meet the federal definition of "research" and involve "human subjects."

If the project satisfies the definitions of both "research" and "human subject," the project is considered human subjects research and IRB review and oversight is required.

If the project does not satisfy the definitions of both "research" and "human subject," the project may be excluded from human research protection oversight. Upon request, Research Integrity & Security or the University’s IRB will document by letter any not human subjects research determination.

Researchers wishing to submit a human research determination request may follow the steps outlined in the "instructions for new submissions" section to create an IRBNet account and a Part I Cover Sheet. Instead of a protocol, complete and attach a Human Research Determination Request form to the submission. Human subject training is not required to submit a human research determination request, nor does the listed Principal Investigator (PI) have to meet PI eligibility criteria (i.e. a student or individual in training may submit such a request). Sign-off by the listed PI is required. If the project is determined to constitute human subjects research, a complete submission will then be required.

See “does my class project, program evaluation, or quality improvement project require IRB review?” section in the FAQ for more information on determining whether a project meets or does not meet the definition of human subjects research.

 

How do I get IRB approval?

Please refer to the following detailed instructions on how to secure and maintain IRB approval for your project.

Frequently asked questions

IRBNet

All protocols must be submitted through IRBNet. Use our instructional materials to help you navigate through your submission process. Step-by-step guides for IRBNet are available in our training section. Please contact us with any questions.