IRB Helpful Resources
If you are unsure where to begin, please review the following information first:
Additional policies to consider:
- (embedded in all IRB Applications)
Questions or need assistance? Contact IRB@stedwards.edu, or see below for more details about the IRB submission process.
IRB proposals are submitted in online format. Hard-copy versions can be used for planning purposes only. After the researcher submits the online application, the IRB Administrator will provide a MSWord copy via email. The IRB will likely require the researcher to edit the MSWord copy during the review process.
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For research that meets one of eight, .
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For all non-exempt research, or if the protocols contain any the following:
•&²Ô²ú²õ±è;researchers are in a position of authority over subjects
• subject matter or procedures that could cause distress or discomfort beyond that of an average day
• collection of sensitive information
• deception
• recruitment from vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women, prisoners, or persons with diminished decision-making capacity)
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For SEU faculty who want to assign a research project to their entire class. The protocol must meet one of these . Current CITI certificates for all student researchers must be included as attachments.
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For reporting adverse events during an IRB-approved study. The form must be submitted within five (5) business days of the incident.
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For IRB approval when:
• An IRB-approved study needs changes to its research team or protocols. The approval letter for modifications will contain the study's original expiration date.
AND/OR
• An IRB-approved study needs to be renewed for another year. The researcher must submit a Continuing Review request at least 14 days prior to the study's expiration date.
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For researchers with an IRB-approved study from another institution and want to facilitate the same study at ¸£Àû»ÆÉ«¼¤ÇéËÄÉä51’s. Non-SEU researchers must have a SEU co-investigator before applying.
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For non-SEU Investigators who want to recruit ¸£Àû»ÆÉ«¼¤ÇéËÄÉä51’s University participants for their study. Preferably, the study has already been IRB-approved by the external institution as Exempt or Expedited. Full Board Review research is not eligible.
Supporting documentation includes recruitment, consent, copies of all measures, debriefs, external site permission letters, and CITI certificates. Some of templates below could help during proposal development.
Determine which templates you need, then download copies and edit them to include your project details. The highlighted sections must be modified before submission. These templates are OPTIONAL but recommended to facilitate the review process.
Recruitment Templates
Use these templates for email or formal letter recruitment. Recruitment emails must be sent from an SEU address—not from a private account. Formal letters must have the SEU logo in the header.
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Informed Consent Templates
The Informed Consent is a required document where the researcher outlines all the necessary information about the project to the subjects and guarantees certain protections. The Consent must be read and signed (or "agreed to") by each participant before any data collection can begin. There are several ways a researcher may collect consent, but the process must be secure and easily understood. The templates below provide IRB-appropriate language and content.
• (Written signature form)
• (Anonymous online form)
• (Participants under 18)
• (Required if Assent Form is included)
• (Faculty only)
• (For specific protocols where oral consent is more appropriate)
AV Recordings Permission Template
If Zoom or audio-visual recordings are part of the research protocols, this form must also be signed by your participants before recordings can begin. It specifically outlines how and why recordings will be made and how the personal data will be used and protected.
•&²Ô²ú²õ±è; (Written signature form)
- - This guide provides step-by-step instructions and IRB requirements when collecting data from an anonymous online survey.
- - Here is an online consent form template set up according to IRB requirements.
- - This reference provides a sample list of free, mental health resources to use on the Consent Form in the "Risks & Benefits" section. You must choose and provide one or more appropriate resources; please do not include this entire list, or the link to this list, on your Consent.
- SEU Logos - This link provides official rules, guidelines, and downloads for the SEU logo. The IRB requires that many supporting documents (letters, flyers, consent form, surveys, etc.) contain the SEU logo to designate that the research is sanctioned by SEU.
- SEU Writing Center - Appointments here can assist you with the writing style of your supporting materials. IRB proposals require a "clean" style that is more direct compared to academic/dissertation writing. For recruitment and consent documents, human subjects are your audience, so your goal is to make the materials succinct, easy to read, and easy to understand. Keep in mind that grammar errors, typos, redundancies, and poor organization can hinder that understanding. For the IRB application and all other supporting documents, the IRB wants to know who, what, where, when, why, and how for all aspects of your research plan. The IRB will also check for consistency across your supporting documentation.
