If your research involves human participants (e.g. experiments, surveys, interviews, collecting physiological data), you will need to obtain approval from Dartmouth's Institutional Review Board (IRB), called the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) before beginning your study. CPHS is “a federally mandated committee with the charge of overseeing institutional research projects involving human participants.” Here's what you need to know.

Most projects within DA qualify for exempt review, which is a streamlined process for minimal-risk research. However, you should verify that your study meets the exempt criteria by reviewing the CPHS guidelines.

For class projects, one does not need to request IRB authorization/exemption. If you later decide to publish the course project, then you will need to prepare an application to CPHS describing how the data was collected, etc.

IMPORTANT: Do not begin any research activities involving human participants until you receive official CPHS approval.

Pre-Submission Checklist

• Review the CPHS website to understand requirements.

• Complete CITI training.

• Determine your review category (exempt, expedited, or full).

• Complete the appropriate CPHS forms with your research advisor listed as Principal Investigator. Your PI must have completed or refreshed their CITI training as well.

• Obtain signature on scientific review form.

• Send to Lorie & Nikhil (DA program directors) for signature, CC to your advisor.

• If one of them is your advisor or otherwise involved in the research, the other will need to sign.

• One of them will sign as the chair's proxy.

• Upload all documents to the RAPPORT system. If needed, request access.

• Notify your research advisor to review materials and complete final submission to CPHS.