Does my project require IRB Approval? | Bergen Community College

We recommend reading the “Purpose of IRB Review” page and then taking the survey below, which will help you decide whether or not you require an IRB. If you have any doubt about your status we recommend that you submit an application, as IRB approval provides liability protection for you and Bergen Community College.

If you decide that your research requires IRB approval, please fill out the Application for IRB Approval form and be sure to file both online to an IRB member and provide a hard application copy with signatures to the Center for Institutional Effectiveness Office, A 305. Both online and hard copies and must be received by the last day of the month that precedes review dates, which are listed under the “Dates and Deadlines for IRB Approval” page.

Complete the following questionnaire to determine if the proposed project requires IRB approval

Could participant’s well-being, reputation, financial or legal standing be at risk if their responses were identified?	YES	NO
Does the project ask questions about or explore sensitive aspects of participant’s lives, such as illegal conduct, drug and alcohol use, mental health issues, abuse, or sexual issues?	YES	NO
Does the research involve the taking of any images or audio of the participants, via any means, camera, audio, cell phone, etc.?	YES	NO
Is it very clear to participants that participation is voluntarily, and that they are free to withdraw at any time?	YES	NO
Does the project target any participants, who are considered vulnerable populations? For example:
Children less than 18 years of age?	YES	NO
Participants with physical challenges?	YES	NO
Legally incompetent adults?	YES	NO
Pregnant women?	YES	NO
The terminally ill?	YES	NO
The mentally ill?	YES	NO
Economically disadvantaged?	YES	NO
Traumatized?	YES	NO
Cognitively impaired individuals?	YES	NO
Does the project involve any of the following activities:
Administration of drugs or alcohol? Medical testing of bodily fluids or tissues?	YES	NO
Giving injections? Invasive procedures?	YES	NO
Administration of nutritional supplements?	YES	NO
Is any of the data to be collected online with identifiable email addresses or electronic signatures?	YES	NO
Will the participants in the project be identifiable through records, responses or personal information to anyone but the researcher?	YES	NO
Will any identifiers that could link the data to individual participants be included in your research records?	YES	NO
Does the research involve the utilization of existing databases where the participant’s data is identifiable?	YES	NO

A yes answer to any of the above questions places the project in the category of human subject research. A submission of the research proposal for IRB review is required. Please complete an IRB Application Form for your project.

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