We use an off-site google form for a self-determination, but stipulate that it is NOT an official determination.
We chose this after attempting to integrate it into the main form for a few reasons
1) We would be bombarded by student projects, oral histories, and journalistic papers that do not need IRB review, and do not need official determinations.
2) Since there is only one initial submission type, we found many of our users get confused with too many choices at the beginning of the form. For example, we tried having the smart form check if a reliance agreement is in place, or if the study qualifies for IRB review. Too many users filled this incorrectly and the submission had to be returned several times with emails outside of the system guiding them correctly. I suppose for some researchers, trying to find a way out of IRB review was worth more effort than completing the streamlined application?
3) If the work is seeking or has funding, or if an official determination is needed, we would ask for an initial submission with basic descriptions that can lead to NHSR determination. This way the determination is synced with the SP file. We do have an NHSR determination in our letters template
We generally do not track the determinations as most are unofficial.
If you are interested in the Google form we use, it is here - https://forms.gle/VN6Y5cXP3jcNRfM78
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Matt Zembrzuski
Research Compliance Manager
American University
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-21-2021 10:58
From: Eileen Fry-Bowers
Subject: No Human Subjects Determination
How does your IRB handle "No Human Subjects" determinations? Does the PI complete a form outside of Cayuse Human Ethics or do you use a Cayuse template and process within the Cayuse system? Do you track NHS data? If you are willing to share your form or template, please let me know. Thanks in advance.
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Eileen Fry-Bowers
Associate Provost for Research Administration
University of San Diego
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