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Project Questions
Class Research Projects
Class research projects are likely to pose minimal risk to participants, and as such may be
exempt from review, which must be confirmed by a departmental reviewer. The projects may qualify for
exclusion from review if they are intended solely to teach students research skills and the results will not be presented outside of the college.
Independent or Senior Research
Most independent or senior research projects are likely to pose minimal risk to participants, and as such may be evaluated by a departmental reviewer to confirm that they are exempt from further review.
Surveys
Most surveys are likely to pose minimal risk to participants, and as such may be evaluated by a departmental reviewer to confirm that they are exempt from further review.
Oral History Projects
Open-ended interviews with identifiable individuals who give their interviews with “informed consent.” (In October 2003, the US Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) specifically excluded oral history projects from IRB review on the grounds that it does not meet the federal regulatory definition of research. For further explanation, see the American Historical Association FAQ on this topic.)
Other research may also be excluded. Questions about this should be directed to your departmental IRB representative.
Note that exclusion from IRB review does not imply that researchers are free to ignore ethical considerations. The ethical and legal standards appropriate to one’s discipline still apply. Most academic professional associations have codified and published ethical guidelines which researchers should consult.