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IRB

Types of Review: Exempt, Expedited and Full Review Board

According to the type of risk and the demographics of the subject, a research project will fall in one of three categories: exempt, expedited, or full board review. 

Exempt level of review

"Exempt" means review by one IRB member, sometimes in consultation with others. A research activity may be declared exempt if it is considered low-risk and the only involvement of human subjects will be in the categories outlined in . These categories are: 

  1. Research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices
  2. Research using anonymous or no-risk tests, surveys, interviews, or observations.
  3. Most research involving public officials.
  4. Research involving the collection or study of existing data if it is publically available or if subjects cannot be identified.
  5. Research examining public benefit or service programs.
  6. Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies.

Expedited level of review

Projects not eligible for an exempt review may be eligible for an expedited review. "Expedited" means review by the IRB chair and one or more experienced reviewers.

In general, research may qualify for expedited review if it is judged to involve only minimal risk, does not include intentional deception, does not employ sensitive populations or topics, and includes appropriate informed consent procedures. For example, the collection of physical data through non-invasive procedures is eligible for an expedited review, including:

  1. Clinical studies
  2. Collection of blood samples
  3. Prospective collection of biological specimens
  4. Collection of bio metrics not involving invasive procedures
  5. Research involving data collected for non research purposes
  6. Collection from data, video, digital or image
  7. Research on group characteristics/behavior
  8. Continuing review of research previously approved by an IRB

The full list of categories of research that may be reviewed as expedited can be found in 

Full board review 

A full board review is required for research that is not eligible for exempt or expedited review. In short, research that is judged to involve more than minimal risk, or involves protected populations such as children, prisoners, or disabled individuals, must undergo a full board review.