If you have an IRB-related question, others probably do too! This column is an opportunity to answer your questions. Check in each month to see the answers to some of the most common questions asked by the research community. To find more questions from previous months, click here to search the archive.
Please send your questions to crtimes@bu.edu.
Q. I will be submitting an IRB application for a survey study I will be conducting under exemption category 2.1 (anonymous surveys/interviews/focus groups). The survey will be distributed by professional organizations that are involved with this subject matter. What information do you need to know about these organizations in order to approve my IRB application? The organizations will distribute the survey via their email listservs, social media platforms, and newsletters. Is there any additional information I need to include?
A: The IRB does not need to know anything about the organizations beyond their names and how they will distribute the survey.
Describing the survey dissemination methods is sufficient; but please note that the IRB also has to review the recruitment materials that will be used (flyers, social media postings, etc.). More information on review of recruitment materials is found here:
Recruitment Help Update: When is Marketing/Communications Review Now Required? - Dec 2023
Step-by-step instructions for submitting this type of survey study are found here:
Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups: A Step by Step Guide for IRB Submission - Apr 2022.