The following topics represent the most common questions the IRB receives about human participant research and protocol submissions. If you have a question not covered here or elsewhere on our website, contact the IRB at irb@seattleu.edu or 206-296-2585.
If you have a suggestion for adding any question(s) or other information, we'd appreciate your input.
If you wish to collect information from and/or about living human beings or their private records, you must check first with the IRB to determine whether and how to submit your project.
See the Overview & Step-by-Step Submission Guide for more information and instructions how to submit a protocol application.
Step #3 on the Step-by-Step Submission Guide will help you identify the correct form, all of which can be found on our Forms and Templates page.
But always feel free to contact the IRB at irb@seattleu.edu or 206-296-2585 to ask for our input and guidance.
All expedited and full-board applications must include certificates of human participant training (from all key personnel, as well as faculty advisers). The IRB will not initiate processing without complete applications.
Further information about human subjects training and links to accepted training sites.
You can find here all IRB submission deadlines and meetings for the current academic year. NOTE: the IRB full board does not convene in the summer months, so researchers should plan accordingly.
Approximate review timelines (during the regular academic term, excluding holidays),
You may not initiate any aspect of your study -- including advertisements or recruitment -- until you have received IRB confirmation of exemption or written approval. Otherwise, you will be considered in non-compliance with SU and Federal human subjects policies and regulations.
The informed consent process represents one of the key principles of ethical human participant research, and should be considered an ongoing process, not a "one and done" event. Learn more about the consent process, as well as the differences between consent (adults with decisional capacity), "assent" (for minors), and "parental permission."
Ensuring that you protect your participants' data is a hallmark of ethical research. Review guidance about data storage and security, as well as Seattle University's data policy.
Understanding these concepts is an important part of human participant research, and you must carefully distinguish between them in your protocol and also your informed consent materials, so potential participants fully understand the nature of your study and the data you collect. Read further guidance on anonymity, privacy and confidentiality, which offers best practices in applying these concepts.
Due to tax implications, use the term "incentive" vs. "compensation." For smaller, minimal risk studies that do not place heavy demands on a participant's time, the IRB suggests to limit or avoid incentives, although you may provide a small "thank you" token (e.g., $10 gift-card). Note that food and refreshments are not considered incentives and shouldn't be included in this way in the informed consent or recruitment materials.
For incentives more than $50, certain reporting requirements might necessary, according to IRB and University policy. Review further guidance on incentives in human participant research.
If you plan to conduct research at or through an organization or institution, you must obtain formal permission from an authorized person who has read and fully understands your complete research protocol and what will be asked of participants. To initiate processing, the IRB must have this permission at the time of submission.
Review further information about site permission requirements.
For best practices in online recruiting and/or data collection, see our guidance on Conducting Online Research.
If you plan to collaborate on human participant research with investigators at another institution, contact the IRB to determine how best to proceed.
In certain cases, the SU IRB may cede oversight to your co-investigator's institution. Review guidance on Ceding Oversight to Another Institution.
Email irb@seattleu.edu or call 206-296-2585. We're happy to talk with you at any stage of the process, whether protocol development or finishing touches.
Absolutely! We regularly visit departmental or college meetings, undergraduate and graduate courses, or any group that would like further information about the IRB. Contact irb@seattleu.edu or call 206-296-2585.