Santa Clara University

Research with Human Subjects

Most Santa Clara University employees and students who plan to conduct research with human participants must obtain approval from the Santa Clara Human Subjects Committee before beginning data collection. Researchers not affiliated with Santa Clara University who want to conduct research on campus or with Santa Clara employees or students also must obtain approval prior to data collection. Approval by the Santa Clara committee is required even if the research has been approved by an Institutional Review Board at another institution. On-line training must be completed by researchers and committee members.  Training requirements and access to on-line courses are described below.

Submit ALL applications to  Anne Riconosciuto, Program Associate for Faculty Development and Research Initiatives (408-554-2746; ariconosciuto@scu.edu). Electronic submission of application materials is highly preferred. While in the past applications have been submitted to the Chair of the Human Subjects Committee, in the interests of streamlining the application process please submit your application to Anne Riconosciuto.

Do I Need to Apply for Review?

Some types of research do not require human subjects approval. Find out if you need to apply for Human Subjects Approval.

What Level of Review? How Do I Apply?

1. Obtain an application form.  Download a copy of the Application for the Conduct of Research Involving Human Subjects.  The Human Subjects Committee prefers to receive all materials in electronic form.

2. Identify the research category.  To assist you in determining which type of review you should request for your research we have developed a flowchart and a text checklist. The Santa Clara Human Subjects Policy divides research into three categories: Exempt from Full Review, Expedited Review, and Regular (Full Committee) Review. How your application is reviewed depends on which of the three types of research you plan to conduct. Definitions for each of the three categories can be found in the Human Subjects Policy.

In general, research qualifying for Exempt Review includes activities that involve "no more than minimal risk" to human participants. Applicants requesting Exempt Review must indicate which of the five kinds of research eligible for Exempt Review they are conducting (see Human Subjects Policy, Section IV. B. 1.). Note that Exempt Review applications still must be reviewed and approved before data collection is started. Research qualifying for Expedited Review includes activities that involve "no more than minimal risk" to human participants, but also involves one or more of the procedures listed in Section IV. B. 2. of the Human Subjects Policy. Research that does not qualify for either Exempt Review or Expedited Review falls into the Regular (Full Committee) Review category. Please note that certain kinds of research always require Regular Review (see Human Subjects Policy Section IV. B. 3.). These include studies using deception and studies with minors.

3. Complete the application form as fully as possible. Respond to each item on the form, even if your answer is "not applicable." Provide enough information for the committee to understand how you will deal with each of the concerns asked about in the application form. For example, it is not sufficient to simply state that you will keep data confidential. Rather, you should explain how you will ensure data remain confidential. In some cases, you may need to provide lengthy answers, such as when describing the procedures. You may respond to these questions by entering "see attached" on the form and sending a separate attachment with your answer along with the application. As a rule, the committee also will want to see copies of any tests or questionnaires you will be distributing and a copy of your consent form.

4. Complete on-line training.  All researchers must complete an on-line training module on the Belmont Report before submitting an application for review. Researchers must complete the training once every three years. To access the on-line course, go to the CITI site, register as a Santa Clara University member, and select the human subjects training module.

Students must complete the student training sessions offered through CITI before submitting and application. To access the on-line course, go to the CITI site, register as a Santa Clara University member, and select the student version of human subjects training modules

5. Submit form and relevant materials to Anne Riconosciuto, Program Associate for Faculty Development and Research Initiatives (408-554-2746; ariconosciuto@scu.edu). The Human Subjects Committee prefers that researchers submit their applications and relevant materials electronically. When submitting electronically, ignore requests on the forms for multiple copies.

What educational training programs are available?

Starting in the Fall of 2008, all researchers must complete an on-line training module on the Belmont Report before submitting an application for review. Researchers must complete the training once every three years. To access the on-line course, go to the CITI site, register as a Santa Clara University member, and select the human subjects training module. 

Students must complete the student training sessions offered through CITI before submitting and application. To access the on-line course, go to the CITI site, register as a Santa Clara University member, and select the student version of human subjects training modules. 

Human Subjects Committee members must complete extensive training through CITI.  To access the on-line modules, go to the CITI site, register as a Santa Clara University member, and select the human subjects committee member training modules.