Student Researchers

Graduate Students 

If your project meets the definition of research with human subjects, the Institutional Review Board has implemented requirements for new graduate project submissions. Graduate projects include: third-year program projects, doctoral dissertations, master’s theses, independent studies, group studies, and any additional human subject projects conducted by FDU graduate students. All student research studies REQUIRE a Faculty Sponsor/Mentor to oversee the study.

Submission Requirements

Please see this link: New Study Submission Instructions

Additional Requirements and Information

  • A formal research protocol is required for all projects meeting the definition of research with human subjects. This includes projects submitted for an exempt determination. A protocol template is available on the IRB Forms and Templates page here (link).
  • Students must cc their faculty mentor on all correspondence with the HRCM.
  • An FDU e-mail address is required to be utilized in ALL FDU research projects reviewed by the FDU IRB for recruitment purposes and all official business regarding your study. If another option is necessary, the process and justification must be submitted to, reviewed and approved by the IRB administration before implementation. This will be done on a case-by-case basis and is not the preferred method. Please note that external e-mail addresses are not protected or covered by FDU servers.
  • FDU listservs are NOT allowed to be used for research recruitment purposes. Please do not ask your faculty mentor, administration, staff or any other faculty to send any e-mails on your behalf through FDU list servs.
  • All human subject research data must be secured and stored safely. NO direct private identifiable information and identifiable protected health information can be stored on a portable device (such as USB key, laptop, iPad, other tablet, and smartphones).
  • If a portable device is needed for recording interviews, the device must be secured (password/Face ID locked, lock box, lock drawer, etc.) and recordings MUST be transcribed as soon as possible. If a recording must be retained, this information must be described in the research protocol with a specific justification, the length of time the recording will be retained and all protections included to protect the subjects’ identity and their private information. It is HIGHLY recommended that the interview recording be transcribed with the deletion of all identifiable information as soon as possible, especially if the data contains highly sensitive and private information. It is understood that some professional research societies require an original recording. Please ensure to uphold the ethical principle of Respect for Persons and Non-Maleficence (Do no harm) by ensuring this data is secured to the utmost ability. Any retention of raw identifiable data also MUST be described in the consent form and all security measures.
    • Pseudonyms should be used and NOT directly identifiable information. Participants should be reminded not to disclose their names if being recorded for their protection from a breach of confidentiality. All data should be password protected, stored properly, so it is not accessed by individuals outside of the research team, and data-encrypted software should be used, if available. This information must be detailed in the protocol.
  • If data is to be coded and a link must be retained to a master code key list, the following is required and must be described in the research protocol:
    • The Code Key should be in a manual security method (the use of pen and paper) and stored in a locked desk or cabinet.
    • If a portable device must be used, no identifiable information may be retained on the portable device. A destruction method/mechanism software must also be used and described to delete any coded private information in case the device is stolen, lost, or misplaced. This must also be reported to the IRB as a Reportable Event and Unanticipated Problem. Please see this link for more information.
  • Google Forms and other external data collection resources may be used ONLY if Protected Health Information (PHI) and/or Personal Identifiable Information (PII) are NOT collected or recorded. If PHI and/or PII are being collected electronically, Qualtrics must be utilized. 
  • The Student Principal Investigator must review and comply with the responsibilities when they sign the Principal Investigator Agreement document.
  • The FDU IRB is required to be responsible for the IRB project for three (3) years past the study closure date. All Students, if the FDU student e-mail address is no longer used, must provide a VALID external e-mail address for further contact if information is needed. 

Undergraduate Students

  • First and second year students are asked to complete research with human subjects as a full-class study where you will participate in a role to complete the research study as a team.  We do not want to discourage students from learning and conducting research with human subjects, but any submitted individual projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis with specific justification by a faculty member with full supervision and support.
  • If your project is for your University Honors thesis, all projects must be submitted no later than October/November for completion by April. Please see the requirements for Graduate Students above and follow all instructions.