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Applying to the IRB

The IRB reviews each application with consideration for the rights and welfare of the individuals involved, the balance of risks and potential benefits of the study, and the methods used to secure informed consent. There are three levels of review, as determined by the degree of risk to subjects. Applicants may require full review, expedited review, or be screened for exemption. The level of review is determined by the IRB. Please allow up to two weeks for a response to an exempt or expedited review (does not require full board review). Full board protocols must be submitted three weeks prior to the meeting date, otherwise it will be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting time. The reviewer will categorize the editorial comments apart from comments concerning human subject concerns. The review process will cease if there are gross grammatical errors and the protocol will be returned. Research may begin only after IRB approval.

Levels of Review

• First Level – Full Board
  Any research that involves more than minimal risk, vulnerable populations, experimental drugs or devices, invasive procedures, or deception is subject to full board review. Meetings are scheduled on an as needed basis, and investigators are encouraged to attend.
• Second Level – Expedited
  Certain kinds of research involving no more than minimal risk as defined by federal regulations may be subject to expedited review. Expedited review consists of review by the IRB chairperson or by one or more experienced reviewers designated by the chairperson. A study may begin only after IRB approval.
• Third Level – Exempt Status
  There are certain categories of research which are exempt from the requirements of the IRB. The rationale behind these categories of exemption is that, while the research involves human subjects, it generally does not pose physical, social, or ethical risks to human subjects. A study may begin only after the IRB has confirmed that it is exempt.
• Continuing Review
  Research that presents significant physical, social or psychological risks to subjects is subject to continuous review at least every 12 months. Continuing review will not be required in instances where such review does little to protect subjects (e.g., where data collection is complete and only data analysis is still being performed). An application for continuing review is scrutinized at the same level as the initial review.

Applications

Students must first submit applications online to their faculty advisor for review and approval. If approved, the faculty advisor will electronically sign the application and submit it to the Institutional Review Board to begin the review process.

What to submit (if applicable):

• Initial Review Form
• Copy of consent document(s), cover letter(s), or script
• Copy of survey, questionnaire, interview guide/script (include documentation of permission to use/adapt a survey or questionnaire (if applicable)
• Copy of any recruitment advertisements

In addition to the application, the IRB requires that the researcher complete the Institutional Review Board Tutorial.  Once you have completed the tutorial, it will be logged into our database.  The tutorial takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. IRB approval must be obtained before submission of a research request to a school system. Once approval is received from the school system, a copy of the approval document should filed with the IRB Office. If you have any questions concerning the application process, please contact Suzanne Barham, IRB Compliance Officer, at 731-661-5580.

Any application approved for research using human subjects will require that the approved consent form include a stamp from the IRB giving the protocol number and the date approved. This will ensure that the correct, approved version is being used. 

Waiver of IRB Application for Class/Service Projects Using Human Subjects

This form is to be used for class or service projects that are conducted for educational purposes only and not as research. By identifying the work as a class/service project, the following must apply:

• The results and data will not be made available to the public beyond those involved in the class.*
• The results and data will not be disseminated without further IRB approval.*
• The results and data will not be presented at any conference, poster session (this includes the 91爆料网 Scholarship Symposium), or public presentation without further IRB approval. (If the instructor decides at a later date that the data collected for the project could be used for research/dissemination purposes, the IRB must be notified and the appropriate forms completed to permit this change in purpose to take place.)
• Vulnerable populations (prisoners, pregnant women, persons lacking capacity to give consent) or minors are not used.
• Risk is no more than "minimal risk." Minimal risk is when the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.
• Deception will not be used.
• No use of videotaping.

Procedure for Submitting the Waiver of IRB Application for Class/Service Projects Using Human Subjects (save files to own computer):

1. Instructor submits online to IRB.
2. IRB reviews, requests clarification (if necessary), and issues approval or denial notice.

IRB Guidelines Tips for Writing A Successful IRB Applications (.pdf) Tips for Collaborating with the IRB (.pdf)