The Daily Bulletin Archive

Before the review process, researchers must be sure that their project is, in fact, human subjects research as defined by the federal government. In order to qualify as human subjects research, the following must be true: (1) The participants must be living. Thus, oral history projects fall under the guidelines, but research involving diaries kept in the 1800s does not. (2) The project is a systematic investigation; that is, it is designed to be a study. For example, instances in classrooms where teachers ask students’ opinions on the material to gauge progress are not research; however, if that same teacher designs a study to evaluate two different methods of teaching the material to see which is more effective, this would be research if the third criterion is met. (3) The project is designed to contribute to the generalized knowledge. To qualify as research, the person conducting the project must intend for the results to be disseminated at some level. On our campus, we also review student projects that may not be disseminated but that meet the first two criteria so that our students will learn the process of human subjects research and because we have contracted with the federal government to do so.

An introductory workshop on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) review process and the ethics training requirement will be held on Wednesday, April 11, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in Bishop Hall 18. If you plan to attend, please contact Gina Game by April 9. Lunch will be provided.