Resources and Guidance
IRB Exempt
Exempt refers to various types of research (including some survey and ongoing educational research projects) which do not require continued monitoring by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Guided by the federal regulations, the Graduate School's Office of Research and Projects determines which projects fall into the exempt classification. Exempt protocols are able to be reviewed quicker than regular IRB protocols and allow the researcher to begin their projects in a timely manner.
Classroom Protocol
Classroom Protocols allow faculty members to complete a single IRB Application for an entire class research project in which all students are completing similar research. Only one Classroom Protocol Exempt Research Application will need to be submitted for IRB Review. This should be completed by the faculty member.
Classroom Protocols are designed for courses in which students are learning how to perform research, but do not intend to publish the research. Faculty members assume all responsibility for student research once the IRB has approved the protocol. Please read the Classroom Protocol Guidelines to be sure your protocol meets the guidelines.
IRB Non-Exempt
Expedited or Full Board
All non-exempt research involving human subjects will be reviewed under the Expedited or Full Board review procedure. The Expedited review procedure is for all non-exempt research involving minimal risk and must be listed under the eligible categories at 45 CFR 46.110. Expedited review will be carried out by the IRB Chair and at least one other member of the IRB. All other research that does not qualify for expedited review will be reviewed under the Full Board review procedure. This review will be conducted by the full IRB at a convened meeting. Full board protocols are reviewed during IRB full board meetings which take place once a month. The deadline to submit a full board human subjects research IRB protocol to the IRB is always the 2 weeks before the second Wednesday of the month in which you would like for it to be considered.
FDA Clinical Trial Projects and Multi-Site Collaborative Projects
SIUE's IRB will not review FDA regulated clinical trials and requires all FDA regulated clinical trial projects in which SIUE is the sole or the lead institution to submit to a commercial IRB. To see if your study is FDA regulated, check out this flowchart from the FDA. You should proactively reach out to our office at researchcompliance@siue.edu with any questions or help determining if your project is FDA regulated. Please note, SIUE will not cover the costs of the commercial IRB. Proposals for funding to external agencies or organizations must include the commercial IRB costs in the proposed budget.
SIUE allows faculty to use a commercial IRB for any multi-site research project where SIUE is the awardee. The cost of the commercial IRB in either case must be built into your proposal budget. SIUE will not pay for the commercial IRB if not awarded and the PI elects to continue the research unfunded.
If you are engaged in a multi-site collaborative project involving human subjects where another institution's IRB reviewed and approved, you still must submit to our IRB. Please see our guidance document on Collaborative/Multi-Site Research. You may also reach out to researchcompliance@siue.edu to see what will be required.
