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IRB GUIDELINE IV
Distinguishing Class-Related Pedagogical (Instructional) Assignments/Projects and Research Projects

Introduction

These guidelines are intended to assist instructors in differentiating pedagogical assignments/projects from research projects.

Research Projects

This differentiation is based on Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 46.102(d) where research is defined as a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge (Federal Register, 56, p. 28013). Dissemination of findings to a scientific audience is a sufficient, but not a necessary, criterion for defining research. Dissemination includes, but is not limited to, honor's, master's, and doctoral theses; presentation at a scientific meeting or conference; submission to or publication, paper or electronic, in a scientific journal; and Internet postings. If the project falls under this definition of research, review and approval of a human participants research protocol by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is required. Contact the Office for Research Protections (ORP) for guidance regarding the appropriate level of human participants review that must be conducted.

Please Note

Class-related instructional assignments/projects that do not fit the above criteria do not need to be submitted to the IRB for human participants protection review. If either knowledge contribution or dissemination is a possibility, IRB review and approval must be obtained prior to the involvement of human participants. IRB approval of a research protocol cannot be granted retroactively under any circumstances.

Advisory

  • Instructors are advised to discuss these guidelines with students before the instructional assignment/project begins so informed decisions can be made about whether IRB review is needed.
  • If even the slimmest likelihood exists that an instructional assignment/project may fall under the definition of research outlined in this document, instructors are advised to submit the appropriate human participants research protocol to ORP for review and approval.
  • Please remember that ORP approval of a research protocol cannot be granted retroactively under any circumstances.
  • When overseeing instructional assignments/projects that do not fall under the definition of research outlined in this document, instructors are asked to advise students to identify the project as a class assignment. Labeling such projects as research is inaccurate and misleading for the students, as well as for others with whom the students may interact as a necessary component of completing the assignment.
  • When overseeing instructional assignments/projects, instructors are asked to advise students that any data from human participants that are collected or analyzed should not contain personal identifying information when such information is not required for completion of the assignment/project.
  • Instructors continue to be responsible for the ethical behavior of their students in conducting instructional assignments/projects.

Approved: August 21, 2003