Research that requires Full review:

The following categories of research require Full IRB review:

• Projects that involve the intentional deception of subjects, such that misleading or untruthful information is provided to them.
• Projects that involve sensitive or protected classes of subjects: fetuses, children*, prisoners, pregnant women, mentally disabled or cognitively impaired persons or terminally ill patients, survey research that involves HIV information either with the general public or with vulnerable populations. In some cases, research that involves the elderly, students and employees, or economically or educationally disadvantaged persons may require full review.
• Projects for which the level of risk is determined to be greater than minimal by the Principal Investigator, the IRB Co-Chair or other IRB member.

*Research involving normal educational practices with children may qualify for expedited review.

Minimal risk means that the probability and magntiude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater than those encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests. Please keep in mind that research does not count as having "minimal risk" simply because it involves minimal physical risk or is non-invasive. There are many kinds of risk including financial risk, employment risk, criminal/civil liability, stigmatization, insurability and embarassment. It is important to consider all of these when assessing risk.

Return to "What is a Full review?"