Classroom Research Activities and IRB Approval: Guidance for Faculty

When the students are participants/subjects in the research activity:

Scenario 1: A research activity where the faculty member is collecting data from their students to address a research question AND the intent is to publish/share the data outside the classroom context

• Because the intent is to publish/share the data, we consider this intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge.
• IRB application is required
• May meet the criteria for Exemption 1, Normal Educational Practices – but IRB application and approval are still needed before research can begin
• Faculty must have CITI training up-to-date

Example: faculty member wants to study whether frequent quizzing improves scores on the unit exam. Gives quizzes in unit 1 and not in unit 2 and compares scores. Plans to submit the project to a teaching conference or share at a college teaching & learning symposium. 

Scenario 2: A research activity where the faculty member is collecting data from their students to determine best practices for their own teaching improvement. No plans to publish or share the data. 

• Because the intent is to improve their own teaching, this is not considered contributing to generalizable knowledge.
• No IRB involvement needed
• Faculty should use care to conduct this work ethically, but no CITI training or IRB involvement is needed.

Example: Same example as above, but faculty will keep the results only for their own purposes and teaching improvement. 

Scenario 3: A research activity where the faculty member is collecting data from their students to generate a dataset for the class to learn how to analyze data. The data will not be shared outside the classroom.

• Because the intent is to generate data for educational purposes and the data will not be shared, the IRB does not consider this intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge.
• No IRB involvement needed.
• Faculty should use care to conduct this ethically. Be considerate about asking sensitive questions and provide opportunities for students to opt-out of providing their data. See the IRB recommendations for best practices linked above.

Example: Faculty member gives students a survey in class and provides the resulting data for them to analyze to learn about statistical procedures.

When the students are the researchers or research assistants in the research activity:

Scenario 4: A research activity where the students are all collecting data from human participants for the same research question AND the intent is to have the option share the results outside of the classroom context (present results at a department or college symposium, submit for publication or presentation).

• Because the intent is to share the data beyond the classroom context, we consider this intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge
• One IRB application is required
• Faculty member and all students must complete CITI training and be listed on the IRB protocol as study personnel

Example: In a political science class, students all collect data from 20 participants on attitudes toward voting. The data is compiled and analyzed. If the results are significant, the faculty member will consider writing it up for publication or presentation. 

Scenario 5: A research activity where students are collecting data from human participants in small groups or individually AND the intent is to have the option to share the results outside of the classroom context (present results at a department or college symposium, submit for publication or presentation).

• Because the intent is to share the data beyond the classroom context, we consider this intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge
• Separate IRB applications are required for each student, with the faculty member serving as faculty PI for each
• Faculty member and all students must complete CITI training and be listed on their IRB protocols as study personnel

Example: Students in a research methods course each create a survey designed to answer a research question. At the end of the semester, the results are shared at a departmental poster session.

Scenario 6: Research activity where students are collecting data from human participants, either for the same research question or in small groups for different research questions BUT the data will never leave the classroom context. The intent of the work is to educate students on how to conduct research and analyze data, and there is no intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge.

• Because there is no intent to share beyond the classroom context, there is no intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge.
• No IRB involvement needed
• Faculty member is responsible for ensuring that students are adequately trained in ethical conduct of research with human participants. Principles of beneficence, respect for persons, and justice should be applied. Faculty member may opt to have students complete CITI training or provide their own training. See the IRB recommendations for best practices linked above.

Example: Students each design a set of interview questions related to the topics of the course and conduct interviews with participants to learn qualitative research techniques. Students each submit a final paper and analysis at the end of the term, but the data are not shared beyond the classroom context.