Applying the "Research" Definition

"Research" is defined as "systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge." Despite its value to the student and learning context, most introductory-level and many advanced-level course projects will not satisfy the requirement "to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge." "Knowledge" in this definition is interpreted as a "field of study," "discipline," or "broad methodology" (etc.) where the results are presented and/or published at large in order to expand understanding or practice on a broad scale.

Most student class projects do not need to be reviewed by the W&L IRB. Conversely, there is an assumption that many capstone projects might satisfy that criterion and may need to be reviewed by the IRB. Please take note of the following:

  1. If a student presentation and paper are limited to the class or the University audience, they do not need to be reviewed by the IRB. Projects in most introductory-level and many advanced-level courses will not need to be reviewed by the IRB.
  2. Some capstone-level student projects may need to be reviewed since there is an assumption that students might publish results or present to an audience outside of the University community.
  3. If the student (or in some cases their instructors) intends (there should be a conscious intent) to use the results for future research that may then meet #2 above, then the project may need to be reviewed.
  4. If the results may be published or presented outside of the University, then that should be indicated in the appropriate sections AND the participants must be informed in the consent that results may be used for publication or to inform further research.
  5. For faculty research - it is generally assumed that all faculty research, at least at the time of inception, is "...designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge." As such, at the time of the faculty proposal, it is assumed that faculty research may need to be reviewed.

Resources

What is Research and What it isn't? And Who is Human Subject Anyway? - Explaning the Common Rule in Plain Language (Office for Human Research Protections)

What is Human Subjects Research? (Office for Human Research Protections)

Definition of Research (45 CFR Part 46.102(l))