At the University of Massachusetts Amherst all research involving human subjects conducted by those acting as an agent of UMass Amherst, regardless of where the research is done or what type of review it falls under, must be submitted to the IRB for review.
Expedited Review
To qualify for Expedited review, research must fall into any of seven (7) regulated categories. Expedited reviews are conducted by at least one experienced member of the IRB members. Common examples of Expedited research at UMass Amherst include:
- Studies involving moderate exercise by healthy volunteers,
- Analyzes of data collected via recordings (such as those taken in the investigation of speech defects),
- Linguistic and ethnographic studies, or Studies involving focus groups,
- Collection of samples and data in a manner that is not anonymous and that involves no more than minimal risk to subjects.
For more information, see Expedited Review categories.
Exempt Review
To qualify for Exempt level review, the research study must fall into any of eight (8) types of review delineated in the federal regulations listed below. Exempt DOES NOT mean the study is exempt from IRB review. The categories represent studies that present minimal risk to subjects. Risk is reduced through anonymity of responses, use of data from human subjects that is existing or publicly available, or through the use of non-invasive paradigms that will not harm subjects. NOTE: Exempt review may not be used for deception research, where prisoners are subjects or for some research using children as participants.
For more information, see Exempt Review categories.
Full Board Review
Proposed research involving human subjects that does not qualify for Exempt or Expedited review, must be reviewed by the IRB at a convened meeting (Full Board review level). Studies requiring Full Board review present more than minimal risk to subjects and/or involve vulnerable populations.
For more information, see the Full Board IRB meetings schedule.
