Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

The SU IRB is committed to working with our researchers to protect the privacy, welfare, and personal information of all human research participants. Whether you are collecting data for a class, pedagogical project, or other activity involving information from living individuals or their private records, all SU students, faculty, and staff must first consult the IRB or submit an application before initiating any aspect of a project (including recruitment).

You might never intend to publish or present your findings, but the IRB must assess whether risks to potential participants could exist in the recruitment or data collection process, regardless of what you plan to do with the information. Even pilot studies need IRB approval if they involve human participants.

Students should read our Student Researchers page, as well as the Step-by-Step Guide below. Your Faculty or Staff Adviser should be involved to provide guidance in all stages of the process.

Collaboration with Non-SU affiliates: When collaborating with non-SU researchers, you may request that the SU IRB cede oversight to their institutional IRB, depending on that institution's policies. For some programs, such as the College of Nursing, if researchers must go through a separate IRB (e.g., the Swedish/Providence IRB, etc.), the SU IRB will consider ceding oversight even when the SU affiliate is the sole investigator. When planning collaborative research, always consult with the SU IRB early in the process.  You must obtain written permission/documentation before participating in any aspect of a collaborative study. Rarely, but occasionally, the SU IRB might require changes to ensure appropriate risk mitigation for participants; for this reason, start the IRB process as early as possible.

Click here for more information about ceding oversight to another institution's IRB.

A Step-by-Step Guide for IRB Submissions