Indiana University

Non-Research Student Projects

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As defined in the Common Rule Policy, "research" is a "systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge," and a "human subject" is "a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains:

    (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or
    (2) identifiable private information."

Class work assignments are usually not intended to or likely to lead to generalizable results, and, as such are not considered “research.”  However, there are some circumstances that require review and approval by the IRB. 

If your activity is a student project that may place individuals at more than minimal risk* risk and involves a vulnerable population (e.g. children or adolescents, pregnant women, prisoners, people whoa re mentally disabled or those with impaired decision-making capacity, or human in vitro fertilization), you will need to submit the Non-Research Student Project Application Form to the Research Compliance Administration office for review.

When you have completed all applicable forms, please submit them to the appropriate email address listed on the Where do I submit my forms? page.

If the results of a student project will be published, presented, or otherwise disseminated beyond the IUPUI/Clarian community, the project must be prospectively reviewed and approved by the IRB.  Consult the New Research Submissions page to determine the required type of review (i.e., exempt, expedited, or full) and submission requirements.

Graduate Thesis or Dissertation:  Thesis and dissertation projects involving human subjects are considered research and will require review by the IRB.  Consult the New Research Submissions page to determine the required type of review (i.e., exempt, expedited, or full) and submission requirements.

Responsibilities of Faculty Sponsors:  Faculty Sponsors have the ultimate responsibility for assuring that the rights and welfare of human subjects are not violated.  Please refer to the Student Projects SOP for detailed information regarding this responsibility.

Submission Requirements for Student Projects:  For detailed guidelines regarding when student projects need to be submitted and what type of review is required, consult the Student Projects SOP.

Blanket Acceptance/Approval:  In instances where a class of students will be conducing group or individual research projects as a part of the classroom instruction, and the instructor believes that, under the guidelines, IRB approval is required, the instructor may request a “blanket” acceptance or approval from the IRB.  This involves the submission of one application that sets forth the parameters of the research being conducted by the students.  Individual forms are completed for each student researcher as long as the research falls within the parameters described in the “blanket” application.  If, however, the student research does not fall within the described parameters, separate approval is required.  This does not apply to research activities requiring expedited or full IRB review.  Contact the Research Compliance Administration office before any such requests are made.

*Minimal Risk, defined by HHS policy for the Protection of Human Research Subjects at 45 CFR 46.102i, means that "the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests."




Contact us: Research Compliance Administration