The IRB recognizes that an important aspect of a college education is for students to engage in innovative classroom projects assigned by their instructor. In many cases, these projects may involve participation in human subjects research. If human subjects are involved, these classroom projects must be reviewed by the IRB.
If a course assignment involves students developing their own individual research projects that may result in presentations outside of the classroom, web pages, publication, submission for awards, etc., the students should submit individual IRB applications.
Classroom projects may include: questionnaires, interviews, or other interactions with individuals, such as those commonly used in a research methods course. Depending on the nature of the assignment/s, the IRB may grant a general approval for the assignment or a series of assignments.
In general, projects considered for course review should not exceed minimal risk, target special populations, and/or include sensitive subject matter.
All Course Reviews:
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The course instructor must complete the required online training (all review levels)
- There must be humans subjects training for class members either presented by the instructor or through the CITI training program depending on the level of review. (CITI training can be documented. Ask your students to turn in a copy of their completion certificate as a course assignment.)
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There must be an informed consent process for all subjects. If the students of the class are the subjects, they must not be compelled to provide data concerning themselves. A student may still participate in the research activity without having his or her responses included in data. No All-stu recruitment emails or surveys without IRB approval.
- Some faculty members have found it useful for their students to complete the IRB documentation as part of their training within a classroom-based research project. The students complete the application but DO NOT submit the application to the IRB. This process gives them experience that will be valuable when conducting their own research, undergraduate honors project or senior capstone.
Course Review, INTRO Level:
Recommended for lower-level research training courses and classroom curricula projects, especially introductory courses, in which students are exposed to or learn about research techniques and methodologies for research involving human subjects but do not actually do research outside of the classroom/dept. and the results are not used outside of the classroom.
- no more than minimal risk
- CITI training recommended
- a subject's data is anonymous
- results are not meant to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge
- no sensitive topics (sex, drugs, illegal activities, mental health, etc.)
Course Review, for Exempt Determination:
(the "Exempt" determination means exempt from further review if all aspects of the protocol remain the same)
Recommended for lower/mid-level research methodology courses
- no more than minimal risk
- CITI training strongly recommended
- activity fits into an Exempt review categories
- consent process
- a subject's data is anonymous
Course Review, Expedited:
Recommended for mid to upper-level research training/methodology courses.
- no more than minimal risk
- CITI training required
- fit into Expedited review categories
- consent process
- if subjects are not anonymous confidentiality must be assured
- any results that may be published, presented, and/or distributed outside the classroom/educational setting must clearly state that it was a course assignment or project.
If a course assignment involves students developing their own individual research projects that may result in presentations outside of the classroom, web pages, publication, submission for awards, etc., the students should submit individual IRB applications.
Alternatives to course review:
- Faculty member is the PI and students are members of the research team - regular IRB Application
- Class members are divided into teams and each team submits a regular IRB application for their group project
- Each student submits a regular IRB application for their own, individual research project