IRB Forms, Templates & Samples

All research projects involving interactions with human subjects conducted for class-related projects, internships, culminating projects, theses, and dissertations must be submitted to the IRB for review and approval. Failure to submit such applications may result in the loss of all collected data.

Theoretical, creative, and scholarly inquiry research projects conducted for pilot studies, culminating projects, theses, and dissertations must also be submitted to the IRB for review for exemption. Examples include literature reviews, contextual essays, novels, performances, and art pieces. IRB Notification for Theoretical / Creative Research Projects should be submitted to the IRB for review and approval as being eligible for exemption. A summary of the proposed study that includes a description of the data sourse(s) and the data collection methodology is required. Exemption approvals will be sent via e-mail. Research projects deemed ineligible for such exemption must be submitted for Expedited or Full IRB review, using the IRB Application and Research Proposal form.

The following IRB forms may also be downloaded from the UI&U Forms Directory:

IRB Application and Research-Related Forms – See IRB Handbook Chapters 6 and 7.

Submit all forms to your faculty advisor for review and approval before submitting them to the IRB for review and approval.
Undergraduate faculty advisors submit IRB applications for their undergraduate learners.

IRB Application and Research Proposal (Follow the instructions for preparing the application and research proposal)	Requirements: Form is required for all human subjects research projects, including class projects in which data/ results will be used for a dissertation, thesis, final project, or other purpose.
	Description: Use when interactions with human subjects involve minimal risk (expedited review) or more than minimal risk to subjects (full review). Use with survey, questionnaire, interview, and other data collection methods in which personally identifiable information about subjects is collected, including Internet interactions with humans such as surveys, focus groups, and interviews.
Expedited Review (include IRB Application and Research Proposal form)	Requirements: Use checklist to verify eligibility for expedited review and submit with the IRB Application and Research Proposal (Form IRB001) and all study documents.
	Description: Use to describe interactions with human subjects and data collection procedures that involve no more than minimal risk.
Claim for Exemption from IRB Review	Requirements: Use checklist to verify eligibility for exemption from IRB review. Submit along with a description of the proposed study, including data collection method(s). Informed consent forms may be required. Attach interview or survey questions if used in the study.
	Description: Use for human subjects research involving specific types of data, data collection method(s), or human subjects interaction.
Notification for Theoretical / Creative Research Projects	Requirements: Submit form and a summary describing the proposed research, including data collection method(s). Form is required for such studies in all degree programs.
	Description: Use for entirely theoretical or creative research, including contextual essays and artistic projects, that does not involve interactions of any kind with human subjects.
Modification Request	Requirements: Required when changes of any kind are made to a previously IRB approved study. Changes may not be implemented until IRB approval is obtained.
	Description: Modifications, such as study location, participant population, instruments, or consent forms, must be approved before they are implemented after initial IRB approval and before the project commences or while it is in progress.
Progress Report-Renewal Request	Requirements: Request renewal of IRB approval so that data collection may be completed if it is not completed before the expiration date of IRB approval. Also submit to notify the IRB that data collection has been completed and no more interactions with subjects will occur.
	Description: IRB approval must be renewed (extended) when data collection and interactions with subjects are not completed by the expiration date of previous IRB approval – 12 months. Study completion notification: Notify the IRB when all data collection is complete, and no additional interaction with subjects for clarification or follow-up will occur.
Your Rights as a Participant in Research [PDF, 100KB]	Requirements: May distribute to participants involved in any research project to inform them of their rights.
	Description: A research study handout on Union Institute & University letterhead.

IRB Consent Forms

Comprehensive Informed Consent Form [Follow the instructions for preparing the comprehensive informed consent form]	Requirements: Submit with IRB Application and Research Proposal (Form IRB001), Claim for IRB Exemption (Form IRB003), or Expedited IRB Review (Form IRB005); include translations for non-English speaking participants.
	Description: Use when conducting human subjects research projects eligible for expedited, exempt, and full review. Also use for class projects for which data will also be used in a dissertation, thesis, professional presentations, or journal articles beyond the class environment.
Abbreviated Consent Form [Follow the instructions for preparing and using the abbreviated consent form]	Requirements: Submit with the IRB Application and Research Proposal, a summary of the proposed study, and data collection instruments. Researchers are required to read the summary to potential participants and to give them a copy of the summary. Include a witness statement and signature/ date lines on the form. Witnesses must be proficient in the participants' language.
	Description: Use when research participants are non-English speakers or are unable to read the consent form.
Template – Consent Statement and Debriefing for Online Study	Requirements: Consent forms are required for online studies involving human subjects. This consent statement should be adapted for the proposed study. The debriefing may be used to thank participants or to include additional information about the study.
	Description: Insert this consent statement at the front of surveys, questionnaires, and other instruments created on online survey provider sites or other Web sites. Using the debriefing is optional.

Class-Related Research Project Forms

Instructor Application for Class-Related Research Project	Requirements: Submit to request approval for assigned class projects involving human subjects — for studies in which the data/ results will or will not be used beyond the class environment in disserations, theses, or other purposes.
	Description: May be used for blanket approval for class research projects that involve the same data collection method(s) and no more than minimal risk to participants.
Learner Application for Class-Related Researach Project	Requirements: Submt for class research projects in which the data/ results will NOT be used beyond the class environment. If data/ results are to be used beyond the class environment, the IRB Application and Research Proposal (Form IRB001) must be submitted to the IRB for review and approval. Include data collection instrument(s).
	Description: Use to describe purpose of study, what participants will be asked to do, and how data will be collected.
Class Research Project Consent Form	Requirements: Submit for class-related research projects in which the data/ results will NOT be used beyond the class environment in dissertations, theses, other final documents, journal articles, or professional presentations. Include data collection instrument(s).
	Description: Use for class projects that involve no more than minimal risk.

Sample Forms and Templates

[Sample] Informed Consent – Parent / Guardian	Requirements: Submit with the IRB Application and Research Proposal (Form IRB001). Include appropriate assent form for child(ren), recruitment materials, and data collection instruments.
	Description: Use sample as a guide for preparing a consent form to fit the proposed study.
[Sample] Assent Form – Minor Child	Requirements: Submit with IRB Application and Research Proposal (Form IRB001). Include appropriate parent/ guardian form, recruitment materials, and data collection instruments.
	Description: Use sample as a guide for preparing an assent form to fit the proposed study and age level of child participants.
[Sample] Information – Consent Letter for Mailed Survey	Requirements: May use this letter and consent form when mailing a survey or questionnaire to potential participants. Submit with IRB Application and Research Proposal (Form IRB001) and data collection instrument.
	Description: Combination recruitment letter and informed consent statement. Use to invite participants to complete and return an enclosed survey or questionnaire. By completing and returning the survey, the recipient is agreeing to participate in the study. The letter includes all necessary consent information.
Template – Confidentiality Agreement – Transcriptionist	Requirements: Use to ensure confidentiality protection of the audiotapes, transcripts, and computer files when the person who will transcribe an audiotape is not the researcher. Use is optional.
	Description: Form may be used to establish a legal confidentiality agreement with the transcriber of interview and/or focus group audiotapes to prevent any unauthorized use of any part of the tapes and/or transcripts.
Template – Videotaping Release	Requirements: Use to describe to participants how videotapes of their interviews or other activities will be used in the study and after the study is completed.
	Description: May use this form to establish legal ownership of the videotape and of the copyright of any videotapes resulting from participation in a research study.

Administration

IRB Forms, Templates & Samples

IRB Information