Does My Research Need IRB Review?
If your research involves interacting with living human subjects or with the data from living human subjects and if you intend to make the results of your research public (e.g., publish an article, included in a book chapter, present at a meeting), your research meets the definition of human subjects research and requires IRB review.
However, some types of human subjects research are “exempt” from IRB review. The IRB will determine if your research is exempt when they review your application. There is a separate application form for “exempt research”. The form begins with a description of the types of research that meet the exempt criteria. Click the FORMS link above and then click on the “New Application – Exempt Review” link for more information about exempt research.
If your research does not meet the exempt criteria, you should submit the application form under “Expedited and Full-Board Review” on the FORMS page.
If you are unsure about which application to submit, please refer to the following form, “Which application should you submit?” Please feel free to call the IRB office at 617-358-6115 if you have any questions.