Institutional Review Board
IRB Review Categories
There are several categories of review that an IRB can conduct depending on how the research involves human participants. The categories determine the degree of involvement and oversight required by the IRB. These categories are:
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Exempt (Levels 1-6)
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Expedited Review
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Full Review
Regardless of the category of your project, it is a federal government requirement that ALL students, faculty and staff working with human participants must complete research ethics training. It is recommended that you complete this training as early as possible so that you are fully informed about the requirements and process of the IRB to get approval before the research project can begin.
To fulfill this training requirement, IBE subscribes to online Human Subjects Research training courses provided by the CITI Program.
When you submit the IRB Initial Notice that you have a project that requires review, the IRB Administrator will register you for appropriate course. You will receive instructions, via email, to enroll with CITI Program and complete this course. Your course certificate will be part of your IRB Proposal package.
To complete the IRB Initial Notice Form, you need to assess the category and level of review required for your project. Use the chart below as a guide to select the correct category and level.
Review the following chart to see if this exemption applies.
Chart 1: Does Exemption Category 1 (Educational Practices) Apply?
If Yes, click here to complete the online form for approval under exemption category 1.
Keep in mind that all research involving human participants requires (1) completion of research ethics training, and (2) adherence to special requirements for consent and debriefing when research involves sensitive topics (such as studies addressing abuse, trauma, depression, or body image concerns).
Review the following chart to see if this exemption applies.
Chart 2: Does Exemption Category 2 (Educational Tests, Surveys, Interviews, or of Public Behavior) Apply?
If Yes, click here to complete the online form for approval under exemption category 2.
Keep in mind that all research involving human participants requires (1) completion of research ethics training, and (2) adherence to special requirements for consent and debriefing when research involves sensitive topics (such as studies addressing abuse, trauma, depression, or body image concerns).
Review the following chart to see if this exemption applies.
Chart 3: Does Exemption Category 3 (Benign Behavioral Interventions) Apply?
If Yes, click here to complete the online form for approval under exemption category 3.
Keep in mind that all research involving human participants requires (1) completion of research ethics training, and (2) adherence to special requirements for consent and debriefing when research involves sensitive topics (such as studies addressing abuse, trauma, depression, or body image concerns).
Review the following chart to see if this exemption applies.
Chart 4: Does Exemption Category 4 (Secondary Research) Apply?
If Yes, click here to complete the online form for approval under exemption category 4.
Keep in mind that all research involving human participants requires (1) completion of research ethics training, and (2) adherence to special requirements for consent and debriefing when research involves sensitive topics (such as studies addressing abuse, trauma, depression, or body image concerns).
Review the following chart to see if this exemption applies.
Chart 5: Does Exemption Category 5 (Public Benefit or Service Programs) Apply?
If Yes, click here to complete the online form for approval under exemption category 5.
Keep in mind that all research involving human participants requires (1) completion of research ethics training, and (2) adherence to special requirements for consent and debriefing when research involves sensitive topics (such as studies addressing abuse, trauma, depression, or body image concerns).
Review the following chart to see if this exemption applies.
Chart 6: Does Exemption Category 6 (Food Taste and Acceptance Studies) Apply?
If Yes, click here to complete the online form for approval under exemption category 6.
Keep in mind that all research involving human participants requires (1) completion of research ethics training, and (2) adherence to special requirements for consent and debriefing when research involves sensitive topics (such as studies addressing abuse, trauma, depression, or body image concerns).
