Procedures

• Exempt -- no risk, non-sensitive material collected through questionnaires or observational methods, adult participants, anonymous data or information obtained is innocuous.
• Expedited -- minimal risks, confidential data that may be sensitive, non stressful
  research on individual or group behavior, recording of data using noninvasive  procedures, adult participants.
• Full -- criteria for exempt or expedited review are not met, physical or  psychological risk, special populations (minors, prisoners, non competent individuals).

Protocols requiring full review will be sent to the College IRB by the departmental administrative assistant.  In addition, protocols requiring review due to funding by outside agencies will be reviewed by the College IRB, whether needing exempt, expedited, or full review.

• Ongoing Faculty Research:a program of research designed by a faculty member.  A general research protocol will be submitted for review.  As the research program progresses, this protocol may be revised as needed.  Adult participants:  Reviewed at department level. Child participants:  Full Review.
• Student Independent Research:  Honors research projects and/or independent empirical research conducted by students under the supervision of a faculty member.  If the proposed research can be covered by the faculty member's ongoing research protocol, the student may submit his/her application to this faculty member for review.  The department representative or the College IRB will review projects that do not fit this criterion.  Adult participants:  Reviewed at department level. Child participants:  Full Review.
• Advanced Laboratory Research:  Research conducted as part of an advanced lab course.  The department representative may approve instructor-designed research involving data collection from adults. Instructor-designed research involving data collection from children needs a full review.  Student-designed research may be submitted to the course instructor for approval.
• Psy 305 Research Projects:  Research conducted as part of Experimental Methods.  Students will complete the application and submit it to the course instructor for approval.
• 101- and 200-level Class Activities:  Instructor-designed projects involving data collection from adults will be summarized in one application for each course and submitted to the department representative for review.  Instructor-designed projects involving data collection from children will be summarized in one application for each course and submitted for full review.  Student-designed research projects in these courses will be submitted to the course instructor for approval.  Projects may be used in repeated semesters without additional approval. 
• Observation Projects:  Projects where students observe naturally occurring behavior and record their observations in a journal or discussion board.  No formal review needed but students must be instructed on confidentiality issues:

a)      Do not refer to people by name in written assignments.

b)      Do not refer to people by name when sharing experiences with others, including classmates and instructor.

Submit Initial Application to Psychology Department Administrative Assistant.

• She will assign the protocol a number using the following convention: 00-PSYCH-00. The first two digits identify the year the protocol was submitted and the last two digits indicate the number of applications received in that year.
• She will forward the protocol on to the department representative(s).
• Representative(s) will either: