Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who reviews my application?

Once your application is received by our office, it will be initially reviewed by the Secretary to make sure it is complete and in compliance with the regulations. If additional information, clarification and/or revisions is/are required, you will be contacted at the phone number or e-mail address you list on your application. If your project is determined to require full committee review, you will be notified and your attendance will be requested at the next meeting (note: please check meeting dates and deadlines). If your application is determined to be exempt or expedited, it will be sent for further review to the Chair and two members once it is determined to be complete. (This means that if additional information is requested from you by the Secretary, your application will not be sent out for review until the requested revisions or additional information is/are submitted).

Q. How long is the review/approval process?

If your application is determined to exempt or expedited it will be reviewed by the Secretary, Chair and two members. Because it is important that your application is complete and in full compliance with the regulations, it will be reviewed prior to being sent out by the Secretary to the Chair and two members. It is very important that your application contain a phone number or e-mail address where you can be contacted for additional information or revisions, if needed, since this is often what delays the process needlessly. Once your application is complete and in compliance, it is sent to the Chair and two members for review. Final approval can only be granted after all reviews are in. Sometimes this process can take up to 4-5 weeks (even longer if we cannot get in touch with you for revised information.) Please be patient with us as we are working on making this process faster.

If your application is determined to require full committee review, you will be notified and your attendance will be requested at the meeting in which your project will be discussed. Please check our schedule of meetings and deadline(s) for submission of applications for full committee review.

Q. How long is my approval valid?

Your approval is valid for one year. If data collection is not completed before your approval expires, you must submit a request for yearly renewal.

Q. What do I do if I make changes to my research protocol after I've received approval?

Please notify the Committee of any changes you wish to make to your research protocol before implementation. We will contact you if we require additional information or review prior to approving the changes.

Q. Do I need to turn in an "original" application?

Yes. We need the original signatures on the application for our files.

Q, What's the difference between an Assent Form and a Consent Form?

An assent form is used to gain consent from minor subjects (under the age of 18 years old). This form should be either written or read to subjects in language and terms that they can understand.

A consent form is used to gain permission from parents or other adult subjects (18 years of age or older) for participation in the research study. For children, both assent and parental consent are required.

Q. Are projects involving oral histories subject to review by the committee?

Yes. Oral History describes a technique whereby a researcher conducts taped interviews with participants in regard to particular historical events or periods. Often, the researcher may desire to make the tapes available to the public at a specified future time in order to provide historical insight. Oral histories may convey a historical recollection of the character of a society of an institution rather that the participant's subjective perceptions. While the Committee will not interfere with the freedom of expression exercised by the researcher or the participant, oral history projects should be submitted to the Committee to determine the appropriate level of review. Pursuant to federal regulation, oral histories are eligible for expedited review. However, this does not mean that a particular project may NOT require full committee review depending on the nature of the project. In particular, the Committee will review whether the conditions of use or publication of the taping/recording are clearly understood by the participant, and whether adequate means have been provided for the protection of the privacy of any third parties who may by named in the taping/recording.