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Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and fifteen other Federal Departments and Agencies have issued final revisions to the Common Rule, which is the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects. The changes will go into effect on January 21, 2019. These changes to the federal policy will result in a number of changes to CUNY HRPP policies and procedures, as well the CUNY IRB application submitted via Ideate. More information can be found on our 'News' web-page.

What is the purpose of the IRB?

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human Research Participants is an independent compliance committee mandated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).  (See Title 45 Part 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations).  The role of the IRB is to protect the rights and welfare of persons recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of Hunter College. The IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction as specified by both the federal regulations and institutional policy. Research that has been reviewed and approved by the IRB may be subject to review and disapproval by officials of the institution.  However, those officials may not approve research if it has been disapproved by the IRB. Research that has been reviewed and approved by the IRB is subject to continuing IRB review and must be reevaluated at least annually, or more frequently if specified by the IRB.

 

Who must apply for human subjects review through the IRB?

Anyone who intends to conduct research that involves people must apply for and receive IRB approval before beginning any research.

 

What if I am an adjunct professor?

 

CUNY adjunct faculty who wish to conduct human subject research as part of their institutional responsibility at CUNY should obtain an approval from their Provost prior to submitting an IRB application. Please complete this form and attach it with your IDEATE submission:

CUNY adjunct faculty who wish to serve as PI for non-exempt human subject research must obtain prior written approval from the Vice Chancellor for Research. To request an approval, the adjunct faculty must submit the following documents to the University Director for Research Compliance:
a. A completed CUNY Adjunct Faculty Request to Serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) on an IRB Application form (can be found here: http://www.cuny.edu/research/compliance/human-subjects-research-1/hrpp-policies-procedures.html);
b. Documentation of an approval from the Provost of the CUNY college where the adjunct faculty has an appointment; and
c. Current CV of the adjunct faculty member requesting approval.

When approved to serve as PI, the approved adjunct faculty member is ultimately responsible for the protection of human subjects, for compliance with applicable regulations and CUNY policies, and for adherence with CUNY UI-IRB stipulations.

 

What is research?

Research is a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalized knowledge, or investigation designed to test a hypothesis.

 

I'm not applying for funding for my research. Do I still have to go through IRB?

Yes. Any research involving human subjects must be submitted to the IRB whether or not there is funding source. Review for the protection of human subjects is made without regard for funding source.

 

What's the worst that can happen if I don't get IRB approval?

Aside from potential ethical implications for the subject and for the investigator, bypassing IRB review brings other risks.

Students:

  • Credit may be withheld: The College may, at its discretion, refuse to grant students course credit for research conducted without IRB approval. 
  • Dissertation or thesis work will not be accepted: Graduate students must present to the Graduate School evidence of IRB approval for their projects involving human subjects. Thesis or dissertation work will not be accepted without it.  Degrees will not be awarded for work based on non-IRB-reviewed projects.
  • Articles may not be published: Most professional journals require evidence of IRB approval when considering articles for publication. 
  • Funding may be withheld: IRB approval is required if you are a participant in a grant program. These programs will not release funds without IRB approval.

Faculty and Staff

  • Funding may be withheld: Federal sponsors, and virtually all private sponsors, require IRB approval as a condition of funding. Sponsors may postpone review of proposals for which review is not complete or pending at the time of proposal submission. Virtually all sponsors will not release funds to the University for the investigator's use without IRB approval. The Research Foundation will not
    set up accounts for projects lacking necessary IRB approval.
  • Articles may not be published: Most professional journals require evidence of IRB approval when considering articles for publication. 
  • The University will not support unapproved research: Liability issues arising from unapproved research become the responsibility of the investigator. Persons conducting unapproved research are deemed to be acting outside the scope of authority granted them by the University. The University will not, therefore, provide an investigator of an unapproved project the resources to answer a liability complaint.
  • Suspension of Research: The College can suspend all research activities for a specified time frame as a disciplinary measure.

 

Where do I get an IRB application for review?

  • Via the Web: All new IRB applications are submitted electronically, the IRB will not accept any paper applications. Submissions are submitted via Ideate.
  • By Phone: You may call (212) 650-3053 to ask questions about the IRB online application process.
  • By E-mail: You may email the HRPP Office for any additional questions.

 

Where do I send my continuing review/final report, amendment/modification forms and what happens after I turn in my forms?

The forms are found on Ideate. Continuing Reviews, Amendments and Final reports must be submitted via Ideate.

Once the forms are submitted, it is routed for review. Investigators are notified as soon as possible, via email, of the IRB's decision.

 

What are the different levels of IRB review? 

There are three types of IRB review:

  • Exempt Review ("Exempt" does not mean the protocol is exempt from IRB review.)
  • Expedited Review
  • Full Review

 

What if I am collaborating with researchers affiliated to other institutions?

CUNY relies on OHRP's Engagement Policy when determining individuals' or institutions' involvement in CUNY-led studies.

If the researcher(s) who are working on your study are affiliated to an institution with an IRB, they may be required to submit to their own IRB for a review of their involvement in the study, even if no research procedures will take place there. This ultimately depends on whether or not they will be directly interacting with participants and/or will have access to identifiable data. This determination should only be made by their HRPP/IRB Office.

If the researcher(s) do not belong to an institution with an IRB and will be directly interacting with participants and/or will have access to identifiable data, then the PI will have to request an Individual Investigator Agreement from CUNY's Office of Research Compliance. Please follow this link for more information: http://www2.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/page-assets/research/research-compliance/research-agreements/SOP-Individual-Investigator-Agreements-3.28.165.pdf

Alternatively, if CUNY-affiliated researchers are involved in a non-CUNY study, a review by the CUNY HRPP/UI-IRB may also be required per the above.

When in doubt, please contact our office for guidance.


What is a vulnerable subject?

Subjects that are minors, prisoners, fetuses, pregnant women or individuals that have a diminished mental capacity are considered vulnerable subjects. 

 

I need to plan data collection around IRB approval. How long does review take?

Please note: You may not begin your research until the IRB has given your research protocol full unconditional approval.

Review of Exempt or Expedited protocols takes about two to three weeks. The review process for protocols submitted for Full Review can take up to a month or longer to complete. You should include sufficient time in your research plan as allowance for any IRB-required changes to the research protocol.

 

How often does the IRB meet?

The UI-IRBs meet twice a month to conduct full-board reviews. Expedited and exempt reviews occur on a rolling basis.

 

What does the IRB look for in an application?

The IRB seeks:

  • Research design that's sound, given the proposed use of human subjects in the project
  • Equitable selection of subjects 
  • Balanced risks and benefits 
  • A thoughtful and comprehensive informed consent process

 

How do I know the IRB will understand my proposed research?

The IRB consists of faculty, researchers and members of the community at large.  Individual experiences and interests cross diverse areas.  Protocols should be clearly understood by members of all disciplines. 

The IRB will seek assistance from qualified persons outside its membership when it receives protocols that require expertise beyond that available on the Committee.  While outside experts may inform the IRB's decisions, they do not vote on research protocols presented for review. 

 

Do I have to attend the IRB meeting when my protocol is reviewed?

No. If the IRB has questions, or believes the investigator(s) could lend valuable insight for review, the IRB may contact the researcher during the meeting.  Please be sure that contact numbers on the application are correct. 

 

How do I know when my protocol has been approved?

You can check the progress of your submission on your Ideate homepage. Once an approval letter has been issued, an email will be sent to you notifying you of this.

 

I'm conducting all or part of my research off-site (at a non-Hunter site). Should I apply for project approval through the other site's IRB and the Hunter IRB?

If the other site has an IRB:
Yes. Many hospitals, universities and other institutions have their own IRBs. If the site of your research has an IRB, the site IRB and the Hunter IRB must both approve your project before you start. You may submit your protocol for review to Hunter at the same time you submit your protocol to the other institution's IRB for review, or you may submit the protocol after the other institution's review is completed. Remember that review and approval requirements may vary among institutions, so you should familiarize yourself with each IRB's policies.  

If the other site doesn't have an IRB:
Elementary schools, nursing homes and community centers often serve as non-Hunter research sites, and rarely have IRBs.  You should ask appropriate personnel (e.g., school principal, director of nursing home, community center director) at the research site to provide a letter indicating that (s)he has read your research proposal, and that you, the investigator, have permission to conduct your research at his or her facilities. The Hunter IRB requires evidence of site permission for its review and approval of your project.  Please note that we cannot accept letters from principals or other officials of any New York City public school, as the New York City Public schools have an established IRB and all approval letters must come from that IRB.

On other CUNY campuses:
You must submit to the campus at which you have a primary affiliation if you are recruiting subjects at multiple CUNY campuses. For guidance, please contact the HRPP Office, (212) 650-3053.

 

I want to administer my study in a language other than English. What do I do?

All consent documents and instruments, must be translated. The IRB must certify that the translated documents translate equivalently in English.

 

FERPA Compliance-Use of Educational Records for Research

The Office of Research, in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Institutional Research, has developed the following guidance and procedures document to assist researchers in ensuring compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) when using CUNY’s educational records for research purposes. The guidance document is available on the CUNY HRPP policy web page under “Types of Research” at http://www2.cuny.edu/research/research-compliance/human-research-protection-program-hrpp/hrpp-policies-procedures/

I. Background and Purpose
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that aims to keep student educational records private and accessible only by the student or their designee. This guidance and procedures document is designed to ensure compliance with FERPA when using educational records for research purposes, and sets forth the procedures to be followed by CUNY faculty, staff, post-doctoral associates, students and non-CUNY researchers who seek to obtain data from CUNY educational records for research purposes ("researchers").

II. Entities Authorized to Release Data from Educational Records for Research Purposes
A. Data from educational records (whether identifiable or de-identified) may be released for research purposes by the following entities only:
-CUNY Office of Institutional Research (OIR) at the CUNY Central Office
-Office of Institutional Research at a CUNY college or school

B. Researchers who have access to educational records in their capacity as a CUNY faculty or staff memeber are not authorized to extract data from such records for research purposes.

III. Personally-Identifiable Student Information (PII)
Federal regulations consider data to be personally identifiable if it contains the student's name, address, social security number, date or place of birth, mother's maiden name or any other information that would allow a reasonable person in the school community to identify the student with reasonable certainty.

IV. Use of PII for Research Purposes
There are two ways that a researcher can use PII for research purposes:
1. For any type of research with a FERPA Release (or consent) signed by the student(s)-refer to Section V in policy document.
2. For specific types of research without a FERPA Release (or consent)-refer to Section VI in policy document.


Do I need any special training to use human participants in research?

Yes. We have an assurance with the Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This assurance includes a requirement that all key personnel working with human subjects receive training in ethical guidelines and regulations. "Key personnel" is defined as any individual responsible for the design and conduct of the study. This would include persons who have direct and substantive involvement in proposing, performing, reviewing, analyzing, or reporting research and includes students fulfilling these roles as well as their faculty advisors.

The CITI training will satisfy this training requirement. Certificates are issued at the completion of the training.

 

I'm working with other researchers on this project. What should I do?

The IRB will want to know the name of each person on the project. The protocol package in Ideate should specify these researchers and their CITI certificates must be attached to the package being submitted for review. 

 

What happens if my protocol is not approved?

The HRPP/IRB will send its comments to you asking for revisions to your protocol. Changes must be submitted to the HRPP/IRB for its review.

 

What if I want to appeal the IRB's decision?

If the IRB makes a decision that the investigator believed to be unduly restrictive on the proposed research, the investigator may appeal; in writing, for review by the convened appropriate IRB committee.

  • If the convened IRB disapproves a protocol, the PI may appeal the decision of the IRB, in writing. The IRB will reconsider the appeal based upon the new information provided and will re-review the protocol.
  • If the IRB disapproves a protocol a second time, the PI has the right to appeal the disapproval, in writing, to the CUNY-Wide IRB. The decision of the CUNY-Wide IRB is final and cannot be appealed.
  • CUNY-Wide IRB Decisions: If a protocol originates with the CUNY-Wide IRB for review rather than with a local IRB and it is first disapproved by CUNY-Wide, the PI may appeal the disapproval only once to CUNY-Wide.

 

What are my responsibilities after protocol approval?

You are responsible for...

  • Familiarizing yourself with ethical guidelines and regulations regarding the protection of human participants from research risks 
  • Conducting the research according to the approved protocol
  • Obtaining written informed consent using the approved consent form for each and every study participant if required by the IRB 
  • Immediately reporting to the IRB, through the HRPP Office, and your immediate administrator, any unanticipated effects on participants which become apparent during the course or as a result of experimentation, and the actions taken as a result 
  • Obtaining prior review from the IRB if you wish to amend or alter the scope of the project or implement changes in the approved consent form 
  • Maintaining documentation of consent forms and progress reports for three years in a safe place
  • Cooperating with the IRB in the continuing review of and final reporting on the project as required by Federal regulations and the IRB.

 

How long is the approval for?

A standard approval is for a period of one year. However, the Board may grant approval for less than one year. You will receive a progress report two months prior to the end-date of your approved protocol. At that time, you may elect to continue your project. The IRB may request progress reports for some protocols on a quarterly basis.

 

My project is going to take longer than the approval period to complete. Is it possible to extend the project? If so, how?

Yes. Any project in good standing may be extended.  You will be sent a notice about 3 months prior to the approval expiration.  This must be completed before the project expiration.  If you are proposing changes to your project along with the extension, include appropriate materials as you would for a modification.  Renewals are reviewed at the same level as the original protocol - i.e., Full Review renewals are reviewed by the full IRB. You should plan accordingly to avoid disruption in data collection. 

 

My protocol was approved, but now I want to modify it. How do I do that? 

Changes to a research protocol must be reviewed and approved by the IRB prior to their implementation. To submit proposed changes for IRB review, complete an Amendment Request via Ideate. Attach new or revised instruments, measures, consent documents, etc., as appropriate. Requests for modifications are reviewed at the same level as the original protocol - i.e., Full Review modifications are reviewed by the Full IRB. 

 

What is an adverse event and how do I report it?

Breaches in protocol, adverse events and unanticipated problems, include, but are not limited to breakdowns in the consent process, violations of confidentiality of the data, complaints by participants, and adverse physical events.  Serious problems and adverse events must be reported to the IRB within 48 hours.

 

I have new personnel that want to work on my approved protocol. What do I do?

All new personnel must complete the CITI training and an amendment request must be submitted to do so.

 

How do I add non-CUNY/independent investigators to my research study?

An Independent Researcher Agreement (IRA) is the mechanism by which an individual who is not affiliated with CUNY nor is acting as an employee or agent of another institution can be involved in research activities being conducted by CUNY. The IRA requires the completion of an Independent Researcher Agreement Application.

The IRA application is comprised of two (2) Parts. Both Parts, Request for Approval to Use Independent Researcher in CUNY Research (Part 1) AND the Independent Researcher Agreement Application (Part 2) must be completed and signed prior to the Independent Researcher's involvement in CUNY research:

i. Part 1: Request for Approval to Use Independent Researcher in CUNY Research
A CUNY PI shall request approval to use an Independent Researcher in CUNY research by completing the Request for Approval (Part 1) of the Independent Researcher Agreement Application. This Request for Approval must be signed by the PI and the Chair of the Department with which the PI has primary affiliation. Approval, if granted, by the Chair shall then be sent to the Provost of the College or School where the PI is conducting research or his/her designee for the College or School's approval.

ii. Part 2: Independent Researcher Agreement Application
The Independent Researcher must sign the Independent Researcher Agreement, as well as any applicable Appendices, prior to becoming involved in CUNY research. The Agreement addresses: (a) Conduct of Research, (b) Assumption of Risk, and (c) Waiver of Liability. The Agreement includes the following Appendices:
Appendix A-Human Subject Research, Appensix B-Parent/Legal Guardian Consent

Additional details and forms for this can be found on CUNY's Research Agreements webpage.

My research is finished. Now what?

You must complete a continuing review/final report form to inform the committee about your research.  This form can be completed in the Ideate website.

 

I still have questions. Who can help?

E-mail or call the HRPP Office at (212) 650-3053 or hrpp@hunter.cuny.edu for assistance.

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