IRB Requirements for Student Research Projects

General Announcements

  • Protocols are prescreened within 4 days of submission.  You will receive an email at the completion of this process.  If you do not receive an email, then please contact us.
  • It generally takes two weeks for protocols to be reviewed after the IRB office has prescreened them and confirmed the application packet to be complete.

  •  The MTSU IRB receives a higher number of applications during September-October and February-March.  We request your patience during these months.  The MTSU IRB continues to receive IRB applications during the summer break (June-August). 

 

Is IRB Approval Required for Student Research Projects that Involve Human Subjects?

The answer is "YES" most of the time.  Student research, such as class projects and poster presentations, have the same requirements as any other studies that involve human participation. If your class is conducting a systematic investigation intended to contribute to generalizable knowledge (aka research), and is contacting human subjects or using archival data that could be connected to humans, then this would require IRB review. Also, all students, faculty, and research advisors or colleagues who are involved in data collection or analysis will need to complete the appropriate training before they can begin working on data collection or analysis.

 This page is intended to provide brief answers as to whether IRB oversight is required for the following types of student research programs:

  • Class Projects
  • Thesis/Dissertation
  • Honors project
  • Scholars Week Posters and Talks
  • URECA / MT-IGO

When the project is not intended to contribute to generalizable knowledge, and is just intended to be an educational experience for the students, IRB approval would not be required.  However, neither the student nor the faculty/staff would be able to publish or present any of the findings.  In addition, such studies cannot be used in a Thesis or Dissertation as they no longer meet the definition of "research" projects.   Moreover, projects involving sensitive topics or vulnerable populations will need IRB approval regarless of their research status.

The Office of Research Compliance will conduct special lectures and workshops for students who are interested in knowing more about the IRB approval process.   Preparation for the IRB approval process is a very worthwhile educational experience and the Office of Research Compliance is committed to advancing the University's research and education mission.

Before starting the IRB training, it may be a good practice for students to watch the following video clips to gain more insight into the process of human research and its regulatory component:

Please visit the FAQ page for specific information.

How should I handle the IRB requirement for my class project?  

Students can either apply for their own student-initiated IRB application through a faculty advisor or register