Deadline and Periods for Evaluation Consideration
In the academic community at Oberlin College, student researchers who plan to engage in research involving human subjects must adhere to a specific set of guidelines and procedures to ensure the ethical treatment of participants and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Firstly, all students are required to complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training, a standard prerequisite designed to ensure that researchers understand the ethical considerations and regulatory requirements related to human participant research. This training is applicable for research beginning on or after April 15th, 2019, and details about the training can be found on the IRB website.
Secondly, students must submit an IRB application to Oberlin’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review and approval before beginning any research involving human participants. The application typically requires detailed information about the research protocol, participant recruitment, consent processes, and measures to protect participant confidentiality and welfare. It is advisable that students consult Oberlin’s IRB office or website directly for exact deadlines, especially considering academic calendars and review cycles.
While precise Oberlin-specific submission deadlines are not detailed, generally institutions require submission well in advance of the planned research start date to allow adequate time for IRB review. Applications for review must be submitted no later than 3PM on the specified dates, with late applications being reviewed with the next cycle of applications.
The application must demonstrate compliance with ethical standards for human research, often including acknowledgment of reading applicable policies such as the ACM Publications Policy on Research Involving Human Participants if applicable (e.g., for computer science or interdisciplinary research). Students must also confirm understanding of confidentiality, consent, and plagiarism policies related to their work.
Student researchers at Oberlin may request IRB review and approval through the college’s established process, which supports undergraduate research involving human subjects. For exact forms, training links, and deadlines, checking Oberlin’s IRB official resources or contacting their research compliance office is recommended.
Notably, faculty conducting oral history research at Oberlin are exempt from IRB protocol submission, as the definition of oral history research can be found on the IRB website. However, all other student research with human participants at Oberlin must be reviewed by IRB.
Finally, students are expected to submit final revisions for their projects, and these should be sent directly to the IRB chair at ocirb@our website. The application forms for review by full committee, blanket exemption for class projects, renewal of an existing protocol, and amendment of an existing protocol are available on the IRB site, along with instructions for the information needed for the review.
In conclusion, adhering to the IRB application process is crucial for ensuring the ethical treatment of human participants in research at Oberlin College. By following the guidelines outlined, students and faculty can ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements while supporting the academic community's commitment to responsible research practices.
In the context of their education and self-development at Oberlin College, students may find online education beneficial, such as the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training, which is crucial for getting started with research involving human subjects. Furthermore, students planning to engage in such research need to submit an IRB application, focusing on learning about the research protocol, participant recruitment, and measures to ensure participant confidentiality and welfare.
