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Before/During the Review Process
Frequently asked questions about the Institutional Review Board (IRB) review process
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- What do I need to submit for review?
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Exemption studies require:
- A completed application submitted via the IRB eSubmission process (PRAMS)
- All measures (e.g., surveys, interview outlines, etc.) uploaded into PRAMS
- The grant proposal (if applicable) uploaded into PRAMS
Expedited and Full Review Studies require:
- A completed application submitted via the IRB eSubmission process (PRAMS)
- The Informed Consent Form(s) uploaded into PRAMS
- All measures (e.g., surveys, interview outlines, etc.) uploaded into PRAMS
- 2 copies of any supporting documentation such as letters of agreement, letters from electricians, etc. (if applicable)
- All recruitment materials (e.g., advertisements, flyers, posters, etc.) uploaded into PRAMS
- The grant proposal (if applicable) uploaded into PRAMS
- What is the time period for the review of a study?
- The estimated review time for research studies depends on the level of review required. The approximate time required may be located at the ORP's Review Time Lines page. This time frame may be increased if an incomplete application is received or if revisions/changes are requested before an approval can be granted.
- Who is required to complete the human participants training?
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All faculty, students, and staff proposing to use human participants in research under the auspices of The Pennsylvania State University are required to complete the human participants training. Approvals for use of human participants in proposed research projects will be not be granted until this training has been completed and verified by ORP. For additional information on this topic, please see IRB Policy II, "Verification of Training on the Protection of Human Participants".
- Is advisor and department head signature required on all submission forms?
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With the electronic application process, signatures are no longer required. However, students should have their advisors review the application and supporting documents before subumitting the eSubmission to the Office for Research Protections (ORP). Departments may also implement their own requirements (i.e., researchers may be required by their department to print out or send the eApplication and supporting documents to a designated individual in their department for review prior to submitting to the ORP).
