As you prepare to conduct research, please review the steps below as well as the forms required to (a) submit a Research Review Request Application to the Freed-Hardeman University IRB and (b) complete your research. You will submit your application, electronically, through CFLOW. A CFLOW template can also be found below, which may be used for planning purposes. If you are a student, you need to work with your faculty advisor to plan your research and complete the CFLOW template, after which, you may copy and paste the contents of the template into CFLOW.
If your research is approved through another institution's IRB, you will still need to submit a Research Review Request Application through CFLOW.
An informed consent form that meets FHU standards (see template below) is required unless very specific criteria are met. The informed consent form allows participants to consent to participate in your study. Please note there is a separate consent form template for research in which the consent will be obtained online (i.e. electronic survey, survey link, etc.).
If your research involves human subjects under the age of 18, you will additionally need to provide an assent form. An assent form is similar to a consent form, but allows a minor an opportunity to agree to participate. The parent/guardian will complete the consent form and the minor will complete the assent form. Because the assent form must be written in language that can be understood by the minors participating, and therefore the language used will vary based on age, there is not a standard template provided.
Also, be aware that each member of the research team - including the faculty advisor- is required to successfully complete the Social & Behavioral Research online ethics training offered by the CITI Program at the following link: CITI Program Registration. For FHU faculty, staff, and students, the training is available for free once you affiliate with Freed-Hardeman University during the CITI program registration. A certificate of completion will be provided and must be submitted along with your research review request application to the IRB. See the FAQ page for more information about online ethics training.
After reviewing the forms, the FAQ page, and the IRB Manual, if you still have questions, please contact your research advisor or the FHU IRB Administrator at irb@fhu.edu.
Sincerely,
-FHU's IRB
Submitting A Research Review Request Application:
1. Review the IRB website, IRB Manual and FAQs page
2. Complete the Ethical Research Training through CITI (good for 3 years)
*Note-all members of the research team must complete the training, including the faculty advisor.
3. Download the Research Review Request Application (CFLOW Template)
4. Design your study, determine the type of review (i.e., exempt, expedited, full), and complete the CFLOW template
*Collaborate with your research team (i.e. faculty advisor, dissertation chairs, capstone chairs, etc.) as needed to design your study and create the necessary forms and documents required (i.e. consent forms, assent forms, instruments, invitation letters, interventions, etc.)
5. Submit your Research Review Request Application to CFLOW.
6. Await a decision from FHU's IRB to your email
*You will be notified through email regarding the IRB's decision (i.e. approval, modifications required, denied). Do not collect data or participate in any portion of your research until approval has been granted.
A. If approved, you will receive an official letter from FHU's IRB to your email. At that point, you will work with your faculty advisor to begin data collection at the appropriate time. Your approval is good for one year, unless otherwise noted in your approval letter.
B. If modifications are required, you will receive an email with comments and required modifications from the IRB. You will work with your faculty advisor to make revisions. Once revisions have been made, you will modify your original application in CFLOW and upload to CFLOW any necessary documents.
C. If denied, you will receive an official letter from FHU's IRB to your email. You may not carry out any research without an approval letter. You may redesign your study and submit a new research review request application to FHU's IRB, if desired.
7. Submit the Request to Amend Approved Research form to the IRB Administrator at irb@fhu.edu if you need to amend your approved research (i.e., adjust your population, instruments, design, etc.). [AS NEEDED]
8. Submit the Request for Project Continuation form to the IRB Administrator at irb@fhu.edu if you need to extend your study beyond the approved timeframe. [AS NEEDED]
9. Submit the Notice of Completion form to the IRB Administrator at irb@fhu.edu once your study is completed.