Student Research Policy

All student researchers must have a faculty supervisor for the project. All IRB applications for student projects must be pre-approved by the faculty supervisor.

Generally, student research involving human subjects falls into one of two categories: (1) research practica, and (2) directed or independent research projects.

Research practica are class projects designed to provide students an opportunity to practice various research methods such as interview, observation and survey techniques, as well as data analysis. Such projects typically do not lead to generalizable knowledge, and thus they are typically excluded from IRB oversight. However, results obtained from research practica cannot be shared outside of the classroom context.

Research practica do not require IRB review unless the project falls into one of the following categories:

1. Studies involving participants who belong to vulnerable populations (such as children, pregnant women, racial or ethnic minorities, etc.), or participants who may have difficulty making an informed decision about participating in the study.
2. Studies investigating illegal activities. (Including shoplifting, underage drinking, etc.)
3. Studies in which a breach of confidentiality poses a risk to participants, such as those that ask about socially stigmatized behaviors and attitudes.
4. Studies that place participants at risk due to emotionally charged subject matter.
5. Studies involving deception.

If you are a faculty member designing a research practicum or intending to incorporate data gathering activities into your course, please review the section entitled Data Gathering Activities within Courses on this site.

Any student-led human subjects research, as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), that does not meet the criteria for research practica outlined above is subject to IRB review. This includes, but is not limited to, independent undergraduate research projects and honors theses, as well as master's theses and dissertations.

Graduate and undergraduate students often have no experience preparing research protocols for submission to the Institutional Review Board. This lack of experience can lead to multiple protocol revisions and significant delays in the review and approval process. It is the responsibility of the faculty supervisor to ensure that research pratica are conducted according to the ethical standards of the relevant discipline, and to determine when an undergraduate student project does not meet the definition of a practicum and must be reviewed by the IRB.

The faculty supervisor will assume the role of the responsible investigator on all research involving human subjects designed and carried out by students.  The responsible investigator will advise students throughout the process of protocol development, submission, and review, as well as in the implementation of the research project. The faculty supervisor must ensure student researchers are aware of their responsibilities as investigators, and that the content, quality, and timing of submitted research protocols meet all IRB requirements. The faculty supervisor is also accountable for ensuring that the IRB is notified immediately in the event of research-related, unanticipated events or findings during the study that would affect the risks or benefits of participation.

Faculty members can attend an IRB Certified Research Personnel workshop to receive a blanket IRB approval for research activities within a course if ALL of the federally regulated conditions are met. For more information, visit the Deadlines and Important Dates page.