Page 1 of 3

IRB Application for Student Research

All research involving the use of human subjects conducted by Meridian students that is sponsored in whole or in part by Meridian, must be reviewed and approved by the University’s Doctoral Project Committee (DPC). In addition to approving and monitoring doctoral research, the DPC also functions as the University’s Institutional Review Board.

Meridian students have the responsibility of referring any project involving human participants to the DPC, even if the participants are not considered to be “at risk.” This includes research conducted in conjunction with classroom assignments that will be published. (Research intended solely for classroom use does not require DPC review. Also not included are students’ doctoral projects which have their own Ethics Application and associated procedures).

Students are also encouraged to conduct their own scholarly research under the auspices of Meridian’s sponsorship.

Name

Email

Date

Phone

Title of Project

What is the purpose of your research? What are your research objectives?

Significance: Describe the study's potential and possible contributions this research might make.

Participant Population: a) Describe the population and how you will obtain them; b) Discuss your inclusion and exclusion criteria; and c) Provide the total number of participants to be studied.

How will you collect data for this project?

Check all that apply.
How will you collect data for this project?

What will the data be used for?

Check all that apply.
What will the data be used for?

Identify and describe all procedures that will involve the research participants, and any instruments employed. Include all aspects of how you will ask for participants’ involvement.

Are school-age children or other minors to be involved? If so, please describe the subject population. What existing data, if any, will be used for the study?

Describe the consent process and its documentation. [If the research involves minors (under age 18), confirm that an Informed Consent form for the parent/guardian will be utilized, and an informative letter (or oral script) will be provided that explains the project to the minor, written in language appropriate for the participant’s age. Make sure to provide these items with this application.]

Describe the debriefing of participants. What steps will be taken to deal with the after-affects of any emotional stress resulting from the research procedures?

What procedures will be taken to ensure prompt reporting of a) proposed, significant changes to any activities; b) any unanticipated problems involving risks to a participant(s); c) any injury to participants; and d) any non-compliance with policies and procedures?

Risks: Describe any potential risks or discomforts to your research participants both during and/or after their participation in the study. Then briefly discuss how these risks are outweighed by the importance of the knowledge to be gained.

Safeguards: Discuss procedures for preventing or minimizing the study’s potential risks, including safeguarding the welfare of the participants, their right to privacy, and the confidentiality of information.

After the Study: Describe what and how you will communicate to participants after the study is completed.