Does my research project need IRB review prior to initiation?
A project may require IRB review when it involves both:
| Question | Examples |
| Research: Is the project a systematic investigation intended to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge? | Research intended for publication, conference presentation, a thesis or capstone, or dissemination beyond a single classroom. |
| Human Subjects: Will you collect information from living people through interaction or intervention, or use identifiable private information about them? | Surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, experiments, identifiable records, or identifiable data about individuals. |
If the answer to both questions is “yes,” your project likely requires an IRB determination before you begin recruitment, data collection, or other research activities.
Projects conducted solely as classroom exercises for teaching or learning, with no intent to present, publish, or otherwise disseminate the results outside the classroom, generally do not require IRB review. If you are unsure, contact the IRB Office before beginning your project.
How Do I Submit a New IRB Application?
All new IRB applications must be submitted through Cayuse Human Ethics.
Before submitting, review the IRB Review & Application page and the Guide to Creating a New Study and Submission in Human Ethics (PDF, 2,782 KB).
What Do I Need to Submit?
Your Cayuse application must include all materials that apply to your study. Depending on the project, this may include:
- Consent and assent forms
- Recruitment materials, advertisements, or scripts
- Surveys, questionnaires, interview guides, observation protocols, or other research instruments
- Audio/video or photographic release forms
- Site authorization or institutional permission letters
- Other participant-facing materials
Use the Forms page to access templates and supporting materials.
Who Can Serve as Principal Investigator?
A CSUCI faculty or staff member must serve as the Principal Investigator (PI). Students may not serve as PIs.
Students may serve as co-investigators or research assistants and may be designated as the primary contact for a Cayuse submission. A faculty or staff PI must review and certify the study before it moves forward for IRB review.
How Do Student Researchers Obtain Cayuse Access?
Undergraduate and graduate students are not automatically added to Cayuse. To request access, email irb@csuci.edu with the student’s:
- Full name
- Department or program
- Student ID number
- CSUCI email address
Who Must Complete Human Subjects Research Training?
All members of the research team—including the PI, co-investigators, and research assistants—must complete the appropriate CITI training before submitting an IRB application through Cayuse.
How Long Does IRB Review Take?
Complete applications eligible for exempt or expedited review are generally reviewed within approximately two to three weeks. Projects requiring convened IRB review may take up to three months.
Review timelines may be longer when applications are incomplete, revisions are needed, or review occurs during the summer, when committee members are generally off contract. Please plan accordingly and do not begin research activities until you have received the appropriate IRB determination or approval.
Can I Decide That My Project Is Exempt?
No. Investigators should not independently designate a study as exempt. After reviewing a complete submission, the IRB will determine whether the project is exempt, eligible for expedited review, requires convened IRB review, or does not require IRB oversight.