Learn more about levels of review

Only certain categories of research qualify as exempt, based on federal regulations. You must still submit an HPRB proposal (and accompanying documents), so that the HPRB will understand how participants’ identity and privacy will be protected.

If the HPRB reviews a project and determines that it is “exempt,” no further oversight or review by the HPRB is necessary, unless there are changes to the nature or scope of the project.

Most of the research conducted at PLU that qualifies as exempt does so because it:

1. measures the efficacy of educational practices in an educational setting.
2. involves analysis, synthesis, or study of existing data or documents when these are publicly available or when the information is recorded in such a way that individuals are anonymous.
3. involves the use of surveys, interviews, educational tests, psychological tasks or observation of public behavior when the obtained information is anonymous or when disclosure of the individual responses poses no risk of adverse consequences to the participant.

Here is the full list of exempt categories (based on federal regulations)

Research using a wide range of methodologies can fall into this review category, including collection of data:

• from voice, video, digital, or image recordings made for research purposes;
• on individual or group characteristics or behavior (e.g., research on perception, cognition, motivation, identity, language, communication, religious or cultural beliefs or practices, and social behavior);
• from surveys, interviews, oral histories, focus groups, program evaluation, or human factors evaluation; and/or
• from behavioral interventions that are brief in duration, harmless, not physically invasive, not likely to have a significant adverse lasting impact and unlikely to be considered offensive or embarrassing by participants.

Research may qualify for expedited review if it involves:

1. no more than minimal risk to participants
2. no vulnerable populations

The HPRB will want to make sure that investigators are adequately protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants.

If your research does not qualify for exempt or expedited review, it must be submitted for full board review. Full board review requires a convened meeting of the HPRB, with a majority of its members present. Specific meeting dates and submission deadlines are set in advance. Please see HPRB Meeting Schedule.

Submission deadlines are ~10 days before the committee meeting. This allows time for preliminary review by HPRB members, who provide feedback and questions to the Chair.

Research requires full board review if it involves:

a.  vulnerable populations
(e.g., children under 18 years of age, clinical populations, incarcerated populations, individuals who for one reason or another cannot provide informed consent).

b.  intentional induction of stress, or where stress to participants might be an unintended consequence
For example:

• the use of aversive or physically painful stimuli
• the induction of emotional distress, such as embarrassment, frustration, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, anger, or sexual arousal
• the induction of physical stress through procedures such as exercise, sleep deprivation

c.  potential for physical injury
Including the consumption of any substance, (e.g., coffee, tea, tobacco, over-the-counter medications)

d.  potential for ethical objections from participants
For example:

• deception by the researcher or confederates
• manipulations of participants’ attitudes or behavior
• observation of behavior in non-public settings without advance consent

e.  collection of personally sensitive data requiring unusual procedures to ensure confidentiality

You can expect to hear back from the Chair within a few days of the full board meeting.

Typical HPRB actions include:

• approval
• request for revisions that can be approved by the HPRB Chair
• request for revisions that must be re-reviewed by the Committee