What is the IRB?
IRB stands for Institutional Review Board. It is a committee of faculty, staff, and at least one community member. This committee serves the college by reviewing all research involving human subjects for compliance with federal human subjects research guidelines.
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Do I have to get approval?
If your project is a research project and it involves collection and/or use of data from human subjects (e.g., surveys, oral interviews, videotaping, secondary data sources) then you need IRB approval.
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How do I know if my project is considered research?
You may submit a Research Determination Form to your campus HRPP Office. This entails a brief description of your project and participants. You will be notified that your project is either a) research and you need to complete a full application for IRB review; or b) not research and you do not need to do anything further. If your project is not considered research (b) then you need to retain this official form with its HRPP Office response for your records. In the event that you wish to publish the results of this project you may need to show proof that a determination of non research was made by the HRPP Office.
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How long will it take?
That depends on the type of review needed and your timeliness in submitting materials and requested revisions. Exempt and expedited reviews can be done in 1 to 2 weeks. Full reviews require discussion of the proposal at a full committee meeting and can take one month or more.
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How do I know what kind of review to ask for?
There are exempt review categories and expedited review categories. All else is full review. Please Note: it is up to the Chair to decide what level of review is needed.
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I think my proposal is Exempt, does that mean I don't have to go for review?
NO. Exempt means that it is EXEMPT from continued oversight and yearly review. The approval is good for a period of years. You need only to notify your HRPP Office if you change any portion of the proposal (e.g., add a new data collection site, add a new instrument, substantially change the interview questions etc.)
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I am doing my study at more than one CUNY campus, which IRB do I obtain approval from?
Human subjects research conducted at more than one CUNY campus (e.g. collecting data at CSI, Lehman, and Hunter) must be submitted to the campus where the PI or Faculty Advisor (for student research) holds there primary full-time position.
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I will be receiving my doctoral degree from the CUNY Graduate Center, but I will be taking classes and conducting my study at CSI, which HRPP Office do I obtain approval from?
CUNY's policy is that the protocol must be submitted to the campus where the Faculty Advisor (for student research) holds there primary full-time position.
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How long am I required to retain my research materials for?
Investigators are responsible for retaining signed consent documents, IRB / HRPP Office correspondences, and research records for a period of at least three years after study completion. However, sponsoring agency requirements may dictate that records be kept longer. If your research was sponsored, please check with the sponsor to make sure that the minimum 3 year retention requirement meets their needs.
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I plan to do research exercises as part of my class curriculum, do I need IRB approval?
Yes, if: the study involves humans as subjects, will be published or presented at a conference or event, or is for a thesis. In this instance IRB approval is a must via the IRB application process.
Yes, if: it is a class assignment, being administered outside of the classroom as part of the class curriculum, incorporates individuals as subjects, and the data collected will not be published or presented at a conference or event, is considered student practica. See Student Practica.No, if: it is an exercise being done within the course/class, does not include individuals outside of the course/class, is not intended for publication or presentation.Back to Top
I need additional information, where can I obtain documentation on the CUNY IRB Policies?
Additional information can be obtained by clicking here.
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