Human Subjects Research Review Policy

 1. Purpose and scope

Portland State University (PSU) is responsible for the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research conducted or sponsored by the university. In order to meet this responsibility, the University established the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and Institutional Review Board (IRB). The HRPP and the IRB are charged with reviewing human subjects research (as defined by federal regulations) conducted under the auspices of PSU to ensure adequate protections are in place.

1.1 Applicability

All faculty, other employees and students at PSU who propose to use humans as subjects in research and related activities must have approval from the HRPP / IRB prior to conducting the research. In addition, these policies apply to any entity who contracts with PSU for services or who wishes to conduct research on PSU property or that involves students and/or employees.

1.2 Federal Authority

Portland State University has an assurance to conduct human subjects research in accordance with regulations set forth by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections Federal wide assurance: FWA00000091.

FWA expires: 6/3/2024 

1.3 Definition of Research

Research  means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities that meet this definition constitute research under the federal regulations, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program that is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities. The following activities are deemed NOT to be research: 

(1) Scholarly and journalistic activities (e.g., oral history, journalism, biography, literary criticism, legal research, and historical scholarship), including the collection and use of information, that focus directly on the specific individuals about whom the information is collected. 

(2) Public health surveillance activities, including the collection and testing of information or biospecimens, conducted, supported, requested, ordered, required, or authorized by a public health authority. Such activities are limited to those necessary to allow a public health authority to identify, monitor, assess, or investigate potential public health signals, onsets of disease outbreaks, or conditions of public health importance (including trends, signals, risk factors, patterns in diseases, or increases in injuries from using consumer products). Such activities include those associated with providing timely situational awareness and priority setting during the course of an event or crisis that threatens public health (including natural or man-made disasters). 

(3) Collection and analysis of information, biospecimens, or records by or for a criminal justice agency for activities authorized by law or court order solely for criminal justice or criminal investigative purposes. 

(4) Authorized operational activities (as determined by each agency) in support of intelligence, homeland security, defense, or other national security missions.

A systematic investigation is one that applies a defined set of questions or steps across a number of individuals or points in time in order to answer a research question. Systematic investigation may be a characteristic of both research and non-research projects. For example, a quality improvement process may be a systematic investigation but may not meet the criteria of resulting in generalizable knowledge.

Generalizable knowledge refers to knowledge that is intended to be applied beyond the research setting (program) or individual. Findings that are intended to be published or presented to audiences outside of the research setting are considered research for the purpose of human subjects review.

1.4 Definition of Human Subject

Human subject means a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research: 

(i) Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and uses, studies, or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or 

(ii) Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.   a living individual about whom an investigator obtains data, either from intervention or interaction with the individual, or through records which contain identifiable private information.

2. Designation of Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Portland State University has one IRB responsible for reviewing research activities involving the use of human subjects. All review procedures meet or exceed the requirements set forth in 45 CFR 46 and 21 CFR 50 & 56. The activities of the IRB are facilitated by the Human Research Protection Program. This program reports up to the Assistant Vice President of Research Administration, and is housed in Research and Graduate Studies.

2.1 Membership of the IRB

The IRB may be composed of faculty, research staff, graduate students and community members. The IRB may use, as necessary, non-voting members and consultant reviewers to provide specific expertise needed for the review of an application. PSU and federal regulations require that there be a minimum of 5 regular voting members. The IRB will have at least one member unaffiliated with the University (community member). At least one member on the IRB must have primarily non-scientific concerns; this is someone not primarily functioning as an investigator, such as a lawyer, ethicist or member of the clergy; thus this individual may also fulfill the role of community member. The IRB may also include a graduate student member. The IRB will be appointed such that the members have varying backgrounds based on experience, disciplinary expertise and diversity in terms of gender, racial and cultural background.

The Director of Research Integrity and Compliance Program Operations and the Assistant Vice President for Research Administration will annually review existing IRB membership and provide recommendations to the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies regarding recruitment, retention or dismissal of members. This review includes examination of attendance, expertise, affiliation and diversity. Thus the membership and composition of the IRB is periodically reviewed and adjusted to meet regulatory and or organizational requirements.

The IRB will include an individual with competence in special areas to assist in the review of complex issues that require expertise beyond that available on the board (e.g. research with prisoners).  A prisoner advocate is assigned as a member of the IRB. Every attempt is made to have a member of the IRB who has expertise in reviewing research with indigenous populations.  If however, there is no such voting member available then outside review by an individual with competence to review these activities will be sought.

IRB members will be nominated through the University’s procedure for committee assignments. All new or continuing members and the Chair are appointed by the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies. Members are appointed for three years. Members may be asked to serve a longer term at the recommendation of the Director of Research Integrity and Compliance Program Operations. Each appointed IRB member completes CITI training before participating in a review. They will also be provided resources and training materials, as well as a mentor, as appropriate. 

3. Management of the IRB

The IRB meetings are facilitated by the IRB Chair and HRPP staff. The Chair will confer with the Human Research Protection Program staff regarding the agenda for meetings and consult on meeting minutes and documentation sent to investigators.

Each IRB member is expected to attend IRB meetings regularly, read and analyze all applications sent prior to the meeting, and serve as primary reviewer as assigned. Acting as primary reviewer includes preparing a thorough critique of the application, contacting the investigator for additional information prior to the meeting and presenting the application to other members of the IRB at the meeting.

Members may be asked to perform expedited reviews outside of the IRB meetings. They are given ten business days to review an application and are expected to do so in a timely manner.

IRB members will recuse themselves from discussion of any application in which they have a vested interest (e.g. principal investigator or other affiliation with the project) except to provide information as requested by the IRB.

Investigators may not request a specific IRB member as primary reviewer, although they may comment on which a reviewer may have related expertise.

3.1 Functions of the IRB

The IRB will review all non-exempt research involving human subjects conducted by faculty, other employees and students of PSU, or conducted on PSU property, or under PSU affiliation. 

Applications are submitted to the Human Research Protection Program and reviewed by program staff for completeness and to determine if the proposed project constitutes research involving human subjects. Staff will also determine whether the application can be certified as exempt, qualifies for expedited review or requires full board review. Applications that require a full board review will be placed on the agenda of the next IRB meeting. Applications must be received at least two weeks prior to a meeting date to be placed on that agenda.

The IRB can take one of four actions: approve, approve with modifications (conditional), deny, or return the application to the investigator for more information before making a decision (incomplete).

Investigators will receive written communication regarding the decision made about their application. Any conditions or modifications required will be sent to investigators by email typically within 2-4 weeks after submission of the application. The time between submission to approval is generally 4-6 weeks. Approval letters will be sent by e-mail. Approval is for no more than five years, unless stipulated otherwise (e.g., subject to pre-2018 continuing review requirements, or a member determines Continuing Review is required under the Revised Common Rule).

The HRPP will request annual check-in information from investigators to ensure a project is still active and for updating HRPP records. The IRB can require continuing review more frequently for high risk research.

The IRB may also review reports of unanticipated problems, at the request of the IRB Chair and/or the Director of Research Integrity and Compliance Operations. The full committee must review and approve any recommendations to suspend or terminate an IRB approval.

3.2 Operations of the IRB

Quorum is defined as a simple majority with one more than half of the voting members present either in person or on the phone at the time of the meeting. Quorum also requires that at least one voting member in attendance is a non-scientist member. If a quorum is not present, the IRB cannot make a determination about an application.

IRB meetings are scheduled as needed and are generally set to occur the third Friday of each month. The meeting is cancelled at the joint discretion of the IRB Chair and Director of Research Integrity and Compliance Operations when there is no IRB business.

Time and place of meeting, as well as agenda and applications to be reviewed will typically be delivered to each member a week prior to the scheduled meeting. A meeting agenda is posted online for the public to view.

4. Categories of Human Subjects Research

All research that involves human subjects conducted by faculty, other employees and students at PSU must have prior review and approval by the Human Research Protection Program. The HRPP staff will determine the level of risk involved and the type of review needed: Exempt, Expedited or Full Committee review. The determination of the type of review is based on regulatory requirements and an assessment of the level of risk. Research of no greater than minimal risk can be reviewed at the exempt or expedited level, while research of greater than minimal risk must be reviewed by the full committee.  

Minimal risk is defined as the probability that the magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the proposed research is no greater in and of itself than those ordinarily encountered in everyday life, or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests. All investigators must submit a complete IRB application, even if they believe that their research falls under one of the exemption categories.

4.1 Exempt

Research that involves human subjects may be determined to meet one of the six categories for exemption. This determination is made by the HRPP staff in consultation with the Director, Research Integrity & Compliance Operations and/or IRB Chair, as needed. To be considered exempt, the HRPP must find the research falls under the exemption categories listed in the federal regulations. 

The HRPP requires a consent process, even if the research falls under one of the exemption categories and the HRPP may require changes to a protocol even though it may fall under one of the exemption categories.  Even if a research project appears to fit under an exemption category, HRPP staff may determine that the risks to subjects is beyond negligble or minimal risk and cannot be considered exempt.

Exempt categories: (Quoted from 45 CFR 46.104)

• 1. Research, conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, that specifically involves normal educational practices that are not likely to adversely impact students’ opportunity to learn required educational content or the assessment of educators who provide instruction. This includes most research on regular and special education instructional strategies, and research on the effectiveness of or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods.

  2. Research that only includes interactions involving educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures, or observation of public behavior (including visual or auditory recording) if at least one of the following criteria is met:

(i) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects.

(ii) Any disclosure of the human subjects’ responses outside the research would not reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects’ financial standing, employability, educational advancement, or reputation; or

(iii) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects can readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, and an IRB conducts a limited IRB review to make the determination required by §46.111(a)(7).

• 3. (i) Research involving benign behavioral interventions in conjunction with the collection of information from an adult subject through verbal or written responses (including data entry) or audiovisual recording if the subject prospectively agrees to the intervention and information collection and at least one of the following criteria is met:

(A) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects;

(B) Any disclosure of the human subjects’ responses outside the research would not reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects’ financial standing, employability, educational advancement, or reputation; or

(C) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects can readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, and an IRB conducts a limited IRB review to make the determination required by §46.111(a)(7).

(ii) For the purpose of this provision, benign behavioral interventions are brief in duration, harmless, painless, not physically invasive, not likely to have a significant adverse lasting impact on the subjects, and the investigator has no reason to think the subjects will find the interventions offensive or embarrassing. Provided all such criteria are met, examples of such benign behavioral interventions would include having the subjects play an online game, having them solve puzzles under various noise conditions, or having them decide how to allocate a nominal amount of received cash between themselves and someone else.

(iii) If the research involves deceiving the subjects regarding the nature or purposes of the research, this exemption is not applicable unless the subject authorizes the deception through a prospective agreement to participate in research in circumstances in which the subject is informed that he or she will be unaware of or misled regarding the nature or purposes of the research.

• 4. (4) Secondary research for which consent is not required: Secondary research uses of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens, if at least one of the following criteria is met:

(i) The identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens are publicly available;

(ii) Information, which may include information about biospecimens, is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, the investigator does not contact the subjects, and the investigator will not re-identify subjects;

(iii) The research involves only information collection and analysis involving the investigator’s use of identifiable health information when that use is regulated under 45 CFR parts 160 and 164, subparts A and E, for the purposes of "health care operations" or "research" as those terms are defined at 45 CFR 164.501 or for "public health activities and purposes" as described under 45 CFR 164.512(b); or

(iv) The research is conducted by, or on behalf of, a Federal department or agency using government-generated or government-collected information obtained for nonresearch activities, if the research generates identifiable private information that is or will be maintained on information technology that is subject to and in compliance with section 208(b) of the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. 3501 note, if all of the identifiable private information collected, used, or generated as part of the activity will be maintained in systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and, if applicable, the information used in the research was collected subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

• 5. Research and demonstration projects which are conducted by or subject to the approval of department or agency heads (not generally applicable at Portland State University).

  6. Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies, (i) if wholesome foods without additives are consumed or (ii) if a food is consumed that contains a food ingredient at or 6 below the level and for a use found to be safe, or agricultural chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the level found to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

  7. Storage or maintenance for secondary research for which broad consent is required (not applicable at Portland State University). 

  8. Secondary research for which broad consent is required (not applicable at Portland State University)

4.2 Expedited

Research activity that involves no greater than minimal risk to subjects may be eligible for expedited review.

Expedited reviews are conducted by one or more voting IRB members who have knowledge in the area of research provide this review. For example, studies that include minors are reviewed by a child specialist voting member of the IRB.

The expedited review process can be applied to new applications with minimal risk or minor changes in previously approved research (also called amendments).

Under the expedited review procedure, the Chair or their designee examines the expedited review reports and has the authority as the IRB to make a determination to approve or request modifications. However, research cannot be disapproved through the expedited process as a majority of members must vote to disapprove an application.

Upon evaluation of the application, the reviewers may request review by a full committee.

Expedited categories (in accordance with the requirements set forth in 45 CFR 46.110)

• 1. Clinical studies of drugs and medical devices only when condition (a) or (b) is met: (a) Research on drugs for which an investigational new drug application (21 CFR Part 312) is not required. (Note: Research on marketed drugs that significantly increases the risks or decreases the acceptability of the risks associated with the use of the product is not eligible for expedited review.) (b) Research on medical devices for which (i) an investigational device exemption application (21 CFR Part 812) is not required; or (ii) the medical device is cleared/approved for marketing and the medical device is being used in accordance with its cleared/approved labeling.

  2. Collection of blood samples by finger stick, heel stick, ear stick, or venipuncture as follows:  (a) From healthy, nonpregnant adults who weigh at least 110 pounds. For these subjects, the amounts drawn may not exceed 550 ml in an 8 week period and collection may not occur more frequently than 2 times per week; or (b) From other adults and children considering the age, weight, and health of the subjects, the collection procedure, the amount of blood to be collected, the frequency with which it will be collected. For these subjects, the amount drawn may not exceed the lesser of 50 ml or 3 ml per kg in a week period and collection may not occur more frequently than 2 times per week.

  3. Prospective collection of biological specimens for research purposes by noninvasive means. Examples: (a) hair and nail clippings in a nondisfiguring manner; (b) deciduous teeth at time of exfoliation or if routine patient care indicates a need for extraction; (c) permanent teeth if routine patient care indicates a need for extraction; (d) excreta and external secretions (including sweat); (e) uncannulated saliva collected either in an unstimulated fashion or stimulated by chewing gumbase or wax or by applying a dilute citric solution to the tongue; (f) placenta removed at delivery; (g) amniotic fluid obtained at the time of rupture of the membrane prior to or during labor; (h) supra- and subgingival dental plaque and calculus, provided the collection procedure is not more invasive than routine prophylatic scaling of the teeth and the process is accomplished in accordance with accepted prophylactic techniques; (i) mucosal and skin cells collected by buccal scraping or swab, skin swab, or mouth washings; (j) sputum collected after saline mist ebulization.  

  4. Collection of data through noninvasive procedures (not involving general anesthesia or sedation) routinely employed in clinical practice, excluding procedures involving x-rays or microwaves. Where medical devices are employed, they must be cleared/approved for marketing. (Studies intended to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the medical device are not generally eligible for expedited review, including studies of cleared medical devices for new indications.) Examples: (a) physical sensors that are applied either to the surface of the body or at a distance and do not involve input of significant amounts of energy into the subject or an invasion of the subject’s privacy; (b) weighing or testing sensory acuity; (c) magnetic resonance imaging; (d) electrocardiography, electroencephalography, thermography, detection of naturally occurring radioactivity, electroretinography, ultrasound, diagnostic infrared imaging, doppler blood flow, and echocardiography; (e) moderate exercise, muscular strength testing#, body composition assessment, and flexibility testing where appropriate given the age, weight, and health of the individual.

  5. Research involving materials (data, documents, records, or specimens) that have been collected or will be collected solely for non-research purposes (such as medical treatment or diagnosis). (Note: Some research in this category may be exempt from the HHS regulations for the protection of human subjects.  45 CFR 46.101(b)(4). This listing refers only to research that is not exempt.)  

  6. Collection of data from voice, video, digital, or image recordings made for research purposes.

  7. Research on individual or group characteristics or behavior (including, but not limited to, research on perception, cognition, motivation, identity, language, communication, cultural beliefs or practices, and social behavior) or research employing survey, interview, oral history, focus group, program evaluation, human factors evaluation, or quality assurance methodologies.

4.3 Full Committee Review 

All research that does not meet either exempt or expedited criteria must be reviewed by the full committee. All research with more than minimal risk will be referred for full committee review. Research with prisoners is generally reviewed by full committee. This research will include a review by a prisoner advocate. 

4.4 Review Not Required

Researchers, including students working on honor's thesis, master's thesis/projects or dissertations, whose projects are not clear whether they meet the criteria for IRB or HRPP oversight, may submit a “Review Not Required” application to determine if a project does not require IRB review and approval because the activities do not meet the definition of "human subjects" or "research."  

5. Criteria for Approval (Quoted from 45 CFR 46.111)

In order to approve research covered by this policy the IRB shall determine that all of the following requirements are satisfied:

• • Risks to subjects are minimized.

  • Risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects, and the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result.

  • Selection of subjects is equitable and when needed, precautions have been taken for vulnerable populations.

  • Informed consent will be sought from each prospective subject or the subject’s legally authorized representative.

  • Informed consent will be appropriately documented.

  • When appropriate, the research plan makes adequate provision for monitoring the data collected to ensure the safety of subjects.

  • When appropriate, there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of data.

  • When some or all of the subjects are likely to be vulnerable to coercion or undue influence, such as children, prisoners, pregnant women, mentally disabled persons, or economically or educationally disadvantaged persons, additional safeguards have been included in the study.

6. Voting Requirements and Appeals

A majority of the regular membership who are in attendance in person or by phone constitute a quorum. A majority of persons present (in person or by phone) at the meeting is required to approve and/or disapprove an application.

Whenever a vulnerable population is involved in research, the HRPP staff will assign the protocol to at least one reviewer with knowledge of the population. 

If an investigator disagrees with either the IRB’s decision or the conditions placed on the protocol, they may request to meet with the Director, Research Integrity & Compliance Operations and the Chair. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the decisions and discuss possible alternative resolution. If the investigator is not satisfied with the outcome of this meeting he or she can appeal to the Assistant Vice President for Research Administration, and subsequently to the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies. No University officials have the authority to override or disapprove an IRB decision. By regulation, while the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies cannot approve research that the IRB has disapproved, the VP of Research and Graduate Studies can deny research the IRB has approved.

7. Information required in a protocol application

The initial application requires submitting the required forms. Information requested includes, but is not limited to:

• • Study Title 

  • Description of study rationale and background for conducting the work

  • Exemption categories (if seeking a exempt review)

  • Description of the informed consent process 

  • Description of subject population and recruitment

• Description of any potential risks and safeguards

• Description of potential benefits

• Information related to privacy, confidentiality, record storage and data distribution

• All study instruments, consent forms and recruitment materials to be used (survey, interview questions, recruitment scripts, focus group outlines, etc.)

For research that will be conducted with vulnerable populations, the HRPP staff or the IRB may ask for verification of the investigator’s qualifications to work with the population.

7.2  Amendments

Amendments to an approved protocol may be submitted at any time. Details of the proposed changes are to be sent to the HRPP along with any revised materials. The HRPP will determine whether the amendment needs expedited review. If the amendment significantly changes the protocol or increases the risks to subjects, the HRPP may require a new submission. Amendments cannot be implemented until they are approved. If there is a need to avoid immediate risks to subjects, researchers should contact the HRPP to discuss any immediate changes to a protocol.

7.3  Authorization Agreements and Collaborative Research

For investigators collaborating with other institutions or external collaborators, the HRPP may determine whether an IRB Authorization Agreement or an Individual Investigator Agreement can be used between Portland State University and the other institution or collaborator. These agreements allow institutions with approved federal wide assurances to assign oversight of the research project to a collaborating institution who also has an approved federal wide assurance. Researchers may request an agreement to accommodate collaborative research using an HRPP form. It is also recommended investigators contact the HRPP to discuss this option in advance to determine the best option available for conducting collaborative research.

7.4  Future Human Subjects Approval

In cases related to funding requirements, the HRPP may grant future human subjects for low risk research in which the design and methodology has not been fully developed.  However, data collection from human subjects cannot be implemented until the complete details of the research activities have been provided to the HRPP and reviewed and approved by the IRB. Please consult with HRPP staff for information.

8. Reporting Unanticipated Problems

The principal investigator is responsible for reporting all unanticipated problems or adverse events to the HRPP as soon as possible but no later than five working days after the event. The event may be reported by telephone or e-mail but must be followed up by a formal report on the form provided on the HRPP web site.

Unanticipated problems or adverse events are those which cause unanticipated harm or increased risk to subjects or others, specifically problems not explained in the consent form. An example of an unanticipated problem is loss of data files containing personal information about participants.

The Director, Research Integrity & Compliance Operations and the IRB Chair will review the report and determine if the event was (a) unforeseen (b) caused harm or placed a person at increased risk of harm and (c) was directly related to the research procedures. Actions that may be taken include but are not limited to: (1) requiring a modification of the research protocol; (2) requiring additional information on the informed consent, (3) requiring that all affected participants be notified of the increased risk. The Director and Chair may also refer the report to the full committee for review and recommendation for action. The decision to suspend or terminate a research project because of an unanticipated problem or adverse event must be made by the full committee.

9. IRB Record Requirements

An IRB membership roster will be available on the HRPP website and updated annually.

Written policies and guidelines will be available on the HRPP website. This policy document will be reviewed and updated every five years, or as needed.

Written minutes of the IRB meetings are kept by the HRPP staff. The minutes will document members present, summary of discussion on debated issues, the record of IRB decisions and the record of voting. IRB meeting minutes are retained in accordance with record retention requirements.

Written or electronic records of study protocols, approved consent forms, written communication to and from the IRB, adverse reaction reports, and continuing review reports will be maintained in accordance with record retention requirements. 

10. Special considerations 

10.1 Master’s and Doctoral Student requirements

A thesis or dissertation is automatically considered to be adding to generalizable knowledge because the University intends to disseminate its contents for the use of others.  Therefore, students completing a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation that involve the use of human subjects must submit an IRB application for review and approval.

If a student’s master’s project meets the federal definition of research and involves human subjects as defined by federal guidelines, IRB review is needed.

10.2 Capstone Courses and Classroom “Research”

Capstone courses and classroom research activities do not typically require IRB review if the following criteria are met:

• • Projects are identified as “classroom-directed exercises” and supervised by a faculty member

  • Projects will not be used for generalizable purposes, such as published beyond the class or capstone grade; project is for class/department use only (e.g. will not be published on PDXScholar)

  • Projects will not place subjects at greater than minimal risk

  • All data collected by students should be kept confidential or recorded anonymously, i.e. without names, Social Security numbers or other identifiers.

In a situation where a community partner of a capstone project may wish to disseminate data, please consult with the HRPP to determine if the work is research in need of a review.

Similarly, research conducted as part of a classroom assignment will not routinely be reviewed by the HRPP. Usually, this type of research is conducted under the purview of the classroom instructor who is responsible for assuring that human subjects are adequately protected.  A research paper written as a class assignment only within the classroom setting is an example. The classroom instructor is responsible for determining the risks to subjects and may wish to consult with the HRPP.

Even if a project is not subject to HRPP or IRB oversight, faculty and students have an ethical and professional responsibility to inform participants of the purpose of the project, the scope and duration of each activity in which they are expected to take part, and the expected outcomes—in essence, to obtain informed consent. HRPP staff are available for consultation in drawing up informed consents or cover letters. In addition, if any data collection of a sensitive nature is to take place, it is recommended that the investigator work with the HRPP to incorporate appropriate protections for those involved in the project.

11.0 Special Populations

11.1 Children (Modified from 45 CFR 46, subpart D)

It is expected that children will be included in all research involving human subjects unless there is a scientific reason to exclude them, such as the following:

• • research topic to be studied is irrelevant to children

  • there are laws or regulations barring the inclusion of children in the research

  • insufficient data are available in adults to judge potential risk in children (in which case one of the research objectives could be to obtain sufficient adult data to make this judgment)

The researcher should contact the HRPP if assistance is needed in determining scientific inclusion and exclusion justifications.

The HRPP / IRB will review projects in which no greater than minimal risk to children is presented, only if adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of the children and the permission of their parents or guardians.

The IRB will review projects in which more than minimal risk to children is presented by an intervention or procedure that holds out the prospect of direct benefit for the individual subject, or by a monitoring procedure that is likely to contribute to the subject’s well-being, only if:

• • The risk is justified by the anticipated benefit to the subjects;

  • The relation of the anticipated benefit to the risk is at least as favorable to the subjects as that presented by available alternative approaches; and

  • Adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of the children and permission of their parents or guardians.

The IRB will review projects in which more than minimal risk to children is presented by an intervention or procedure that does not hold out the prospect of direct benefit for the individual subject, or by a monitoring procedure which is not likely to contribute to the well-being of the subject, only if:

• • The risk represents a minor increase over minimal risk;

  • The intervention or procedure presents experiences to subjects that are reasonably commensurate with those inherent in their actual or expected medical, dental, psychological, social, or educational situations;

  • The intervention or procedure is likely to yield generalizable knowledge about the subjects’ disorder or condition which is of vital importance for the understanding or amelioration of the subjects’ disorder or condition; and

  • Adequate provisions are made for soliciting assent of the children and permission of their parents or guardians.

Research which is not otherwise approvable but which presents an opportunity to understand, prevent, or alleviate a serious problem affecting the health or welfare of children will only be reviewed if the IRB finds that the research presents a reasonable opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem affecting the health or welfare of children.

Unless permission to forgo obtaining either assent by the child or permission from their parents or guardian is explicitly granted by the IRB, both are required in research that will involve children.

The HRPP / IRB shall determine that adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of the children, when in the judgment of the IRB the children are capable of providing assent. In determining whether children are capable of assenting, the IRB shall take into account the ages, maturity, and psychological state of the children involved. If the IRB determines that the capability of some or all of the children is so limited that they cannot reasonably be consulted or that the intervention or procedure involved in the research holds out a prospect of direct benefit that is important to the health or well-being of the children and is available only in the context of the research, the assent of the children is not a necessary condition for proceeding with the research. Even where the IRB determines that the subjects are capable of assenting, we may still waive the assent requirement under circumstances in which consent may be waived in accordance with general informed consent provisions. When the IRB determines that assent is required, it shall also determine how assent must be documented.

In addition, the IRB shall determine that adequate provisions are made for soliciting the permission of each child’s parents or guardian. Where parental permission is to be obtained, the IRB may find that permission of one parent is sufficient for research involving minimal risk or for research involving greater than minimal risk but presenting the prospect of direct benefit to the individual subjects. For research involving greater risk and no prospect of direct benefit to subjects, permission is to be obtained from both parents, unless one parent is deceased, unknown, incompetent, or not reasonably available, or when only one parent has legal responsibility for the care and custody of the child.

If the IRB determines that a research protocol is designed for conditions or for a subject population for which parental or guardian permission is not a reasonable requirement to protect the subjects--for example, neglected or abused children--it may waive the consent requirements, provided an appropriate mechanism for protecting the children who will participate as subjects is substituted, and provided further that the waiver is not inconsistent with federal, state, or local law.

11.2 Prisoners (Modified from 45 CFR 46, subpart C)

Prisoners may be under constraints because of their incarceration, which could affect their ability to make a truly voluntary decision regarding whether or not to participate as subjects in research.

The IRB shall review research only if it finds that:

• • The research is in a permissible category (see below);

  • Any possible advantages accruing to the prisoner through their participation in the research, when compared to the general living conditions, medical care, quality of food, amenities and opportunity for earnings in the prison, are not of such a magnitude that their ability to weigh the risks of the research against the value of such advantages in the limited choice environment of the prison is impaired;

  • The risks involved in the research are commensurate with risks that would be accepted by non-prisoner volunteers;

  • Procedures for the selection of subjects within the prison are fair to all prisoners and immune from arbitrary intervention by prison authorities or prisoners. Unless the principal investigator provides justification in writing for following some other procedures, control subjects must be selected randomly from the group of available prisoners who meet the characteristics needed for that particular research project;

  • The information is presented in language which is understandable to the subject population;

  • Adequate assurance exists that parole boards will not take into account a prisoner’s participation in the research in making decisions regarding parole, and each prisoner is clearly informed in advance that participation in the research will have no effect on their parole; and

  • Where the IRB finds there may be a need for follow-up examination or care of participants after the end of their participation, adequate provision has been made for such examination or care, taking into account the varying lengths of individual prisoners’ sentence, and for informing participants of this fact.

Permitted Research Involving Prisoners

Research may involve prisoners as subjects only if the proposed research involves the following:

• • Study of the possible causes, effects, and processes of incarceration, and of criminal behavior, provided that the study presents no more than minimal risk or inconvenience to the subjects;

  • Study of prisons as institutional structures or of prisoners as incarcerated persons, provided that the study presents no more than minimal risk or inconvenience to the subjects;

  • Research on conditions particularly affecting prisoners as a class (for example, vaccine trials and other research on hepatitis which is much more prevalent in prisons than elsewhere; and research on social and psychological problems such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and sexual assaults) provided that the study may proceed only (when DHHS funding is sought) after the Secretary of DHHS has consulted with appropriate experts including experts in penology, medicine, and ethics, and published notice, in the Federal Register of the intent to approve such research; or

  • Research on practices, both innovative and accepted, which have the intent and reasonable probability of improving the health or well-being of the subject. In cases in which those studies require the assignment of prisoners (in a manner consistent with protocols approved by the IRB) to control groups which may not benefit from the research, the study may proceed only (when DHHS funding is sought) after the Secretary has consulted with appropriate experts, including experts in penology, medicine, and ethics, and published notice, in the Federal Register, of the intent to approve such research.