Application Procedures
Research involving Human Subjects
Steps of the Application Review Process:

1. Review the Loyola College Policies and Procedures for Research Involving Human Participants and the information on these webpages.

2. Complete the human subjects application form (MSWord format or PDF format).  Any reproduction must be retyped exactly as the original, keeping the same format and space allowances, or it will not be accepted by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). 

3. If you believe your project qualifies for exempt or expedited review, please be sure to complete item 8 on the application form.  Please note that the HSRRC committee reserves the right to change the review status of applications as necessary.  Note that in order for an application to qualify as exempt, it must pose no risk or extremely minimal risk to participants.  In order to qualify as expedited, the application must pose no more than minimal risk to participants.

4. If you feel additional information may be necessary for the reviewer(s) to evaluate the project, you may attach a copy of the complete methodology and other any other necessary information.

5. Attach samples of all consent and/or assent documents to be used.  If you are requesting that consent be waived, provide a justification of why waiver is required.

6. Sign the application form and, if you are a student, obtain the signature of your Faculty Sponsor.

7. Submit the application with attachments to Carron DeGrass in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Humanities Building, Room 143A.

Research involving human subjects may not begin until the application is approved by the IRB.

You will be notified by phone and/or e-mail of any issues that may arise during the review and of the application's ultimate approval or denial. Upon notification of approval, you may begin your research. After the review is completed, both you and the Faculty Sponsor (if applicable) will be mailed a copy of the approval form, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will retain a copy of the approval form and application.

Exempt applications:
Exempt research must be reviewed by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) to confirm that it meets the criteria for exempt status.  Once an application is received by the ORSP, it will take about 2-3 business days to review.  The ORSP may send applications submitted as exempt to additional HSRRC committee members for further review.  This review process will take approximately three weeks. 

Expedited applications:
Research that is eligible for expedited review must involve no more than minimal risk to participants in the study.   After the application is received by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, it is sent to two IRB committee members for review.  The expedited review process will take approximately three weeks.  Annual review is required for expedited projects lasting longer than one year.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Carron DeGrass, Assistant Director, Research and Sponsored Programs, at 410-617-2561 or e-mail our office.