Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Types of Review
- Applications and Forms
- Continuing Review/Annual Renewal
- Final Reports
- BSU Human Subject Policy
- IRB Program Guide
- Definitions
- Guidelines for Researchers
- Training & Education - CITI Program
- IRB Contact Information
Types of Review
Before conducting any research involving human subjects, you must submit a protocol application for IRB review and approval.
Note: Any administrative, departmental or course assignments involving surveys, questionnaires and interviews designed for internal use and operations of the university do not constitute as "research" if the information or conclusion of this data is not intended for scholarly publication or for dissemination to persons outside the administrative organization of the university.
Exempt Review
“Exempt” does not mean that your research is excluded from IRB review. All exempt studies are initially reviewed by the IRB. After its review, the IRB will determine a protocol application’s exempt status. If a study qualifies as exempt, then it is exempt from expedited or full board IRB review.
Research activities in which the only involvement of human participants fall under one or more of the specified EXEMPT CATEGORIES are exempt from the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Participants. Although certain research activities are exempt, only the IRB can certify that the research meets the exemption criteria requirements. A principal investigator cannot make the final determination of exemption.
An exempt determination does not permit you to make changes to your study at any time without IRB review. You must notify the IRB to any changes in your study by completing a MODIFICATION/AMENDMENT FORM before they can be implemented.
Exempt protocols have a separate application from expedited and full board review. Please allow up to three weeks for the exempt review process.
Expedited Review
To receive an expedited review, your study must fall into one or more of the EXPEDITED CATEGORIES. Expedited research does not have to go before the full board to be approved.
The expedited application and full board application are one in the same. On the application, please indicate which review category your research falls under. The final determination that a research project falls under expedited review can only be made by the IRB. Please allow up to four weeks for the expedited review process.
Full Board
Any research involving the use of human participants that does not fall into the exempt or expedited categories must be submitted as full board. Full board applications are reviewed and approved by all members of the IRB.
The expedited application and full board application are one in the same. Please indicate which review category your research falls under. The final determination that a research project falls under full board can only be made by the IRB.
Full Board Submission Deadline: You must submit full board applications at least two weeks before the IRB’s regularly scheduled meetings. All applications that are not received within two weeks of the IRB meeting will be reviewed at the next month’s meeting. Please allow up to six weeks for the full board review process.
Click here to review dates for the Monthly Compliance Committee Meetings
