Human Research Participant Protection Program
The IIRP Graduate School has established an Assurance of Compliance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations governing research involving human subjects. Since research comprises a vital part of graduate education and research may involve human subjects, graduate students must be aware of their responsibilities.
All research involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved by the IIRP Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to the initiation of the research.
The human subjects regulations extend into the classroom and youth counseling settings so that graduate students with teaching and counseling assignments as well as those engaged in research should carefully observe these constraints and protections. Copies of the Assurance and Compliance and HHS regulations (45 CFR 46) may be obtained from the Associate Dean of Administration. | IIRP Research Involving Human Subjects Policy
IRB Procedures
Depending on the type of project or research planned, students/researchers must submit an application form to the IRB prior to commencing work on the study or project. | IRB Forms Library
- Exempted student project: For projects that involve reviewing your own responses to using restorative practices within the context of coursework; appropriate for the majority of student research projects.
- Expedited research review: Use for research with human subjects when no potential violation of research ethics is anticipated.
- Full research review: When interaction with human subjects will exceed the criteria above.
These documents will help you identify which level is appropriate to your circumstances, and steps you must take for your IRB review.
- IRB Procedure 1: Determining whether a research activity needs IRB review and approval
- IRB Procedure 2: Submission requirements and procedures for requests for exemption from IRB review
View the IRB Decision Tree flowchart.
Your course instructor will provide additional details in your Moodle course module.
Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP) Training Course
Before beginning any research or course project that involves human subjects, students must provide documentation that they have been trained in the ethics and regulations of human research. For students who have not already filed an NIH human subjects training certificate, the IIRP Graduate School provides access to the online course Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP); the course covers the development of human subject protections, ethical issues associated with research, and current regulatory and guidance information.
PHRP is free for students enrolled in IIRP Graduate School courses. It is available in English, Spanish and French. Access instructions can be found within your Moodle course page. If you need assistance gaining access to the course, contact your instructor.
Allow approximately three hours for completion. When finished, you will be issued a numbered PHRP certificate, which you must submit to your instructor as part of your IRB review paperwork. The PHRP certificate is valid for five years.
Note: This training module is intended for students who do not already have a current and valid NIH certificate for training in the protection of human subjects. If you have an NIH certificate from prior Protecting Human Research Participants training that has not yet expired, you do not have to take this course.
IRB Forms Library
- Exempted Student Project Form
- Expedited Research Review Form
- Full Research Review Form
- Cover Letter - Template for communicating with potential research subjects. Include information indicated in red; can customize as needed
- Informed Consent (Minimum Risk) Form - For securing subjects' permission to participate in the study, with explanation of risks and benefits
For additional information, contact your course instructor or IRB Chair This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..