Types of Review

There are three types of review: Exempt, Expedited and Full Board.

Research may be Exempt from IRB Review because it makes use of existing records and the data cannot be linked in any form to the individual. In general, procedures that are free of foreseeable risk to the subject are likely to be considered exempt. When projects are determined to be Exempt, the Chair of the IRB Reviews the proposal and notifies the principal investigator of the findings.

Research that poses only minimal risk to subjects (i.e. not greater than those encountered in daily life) can often be handled through Expedited review. Examples include routine physical or psychological examinations or tests. Projects that are Expedited are reviewed bu the Chair of the IRB and one other member of the Board. The Chair then notifies the principal investigator of the findings.

All research that is not Exempt or Expedited is given a Full Review. All members of the IRB review the proposal, which is then discussed at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Chair notifies the principal investigator of the findings.

The level of review can only be determined by the IRB.