Forms & Templates

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IRB Helpful Resources

If you are unsure where to begin, please review the following information first:

Questions or need assistance? Contact IRB@stedwards.edu.

Which Application To Submit

All IRB Applications are now online. A MSWord copy of the application will be emailed to the researcher after submission. The IRB will require the researcher to edit this application during the review process. 

IRB Exempt Application. [Use this hard-copy version for planning purposes only.]  For research that meets one of eight, federal exemption categories (Charts 2-10). 

IRB Expedited or Full Board Review Application. [Use the IRB Expedited or Full Board Review Application hard-copy version for planning purposes only.]  For all non-exempt research or if the protocols contain any the following: 

• researchers are in a position of authority over subjects
• distressing subject matter or procedures
• collection of sensitive information
• deception
• recruitment from vulnerable populations 
   (children, pregnant women, prisoners, or persons 
   with diminished decision-making capacity)

IRB Exempt Classroom Research Application. [Use the IRB Exempt Classroom Research Application hard-copy version for planning purposes only.]  For SEU faculty who want to assign a research project to their entire class. The protocol must meet one of these federal exemption criteria. Current CITI certificates for all student researchers must be included as attachments. 

IRB Unanticipated Problem Report. [Use the IRB Unanticipated Problem Report hard-copy version for planning purposes only.] For reporting unanticipated problems during an IRB-approved study. The form must be submitted within five (5) business days of the incident. Contact IRB@stedwards.edu with questions. 

IRB Modifications or Continuing Review Application. [Use the IRB Modifications or Continuing Review Application hard-copy version for planning purposes only.] For IRB approval when:

• An IRB-approved research study has changes to its research team or protocols 

AND/OR

• An IRB Full Board-approved study needs to be renewed for another year. The researcher must submit a Continuing Review request at least 14 days prior to the study's expiration date. Continuing Review is no longer required for Expedited proposals.

IRB Reciprocity Application. [Use the IRB Reciprocity Application hard-copy version for planning purposes only.] For researchers with an IRB-approved study from another institution and want to facilitate the same study at St. Edward’s. Non-SEU researchers must have a SEU co-investigator before applying.

IRB Recruitment Application. [Use the IRB Recruitment Application hard-copy version for planning purposes only.] For non-SEU Investigators who want to recruit St. Edward’s University participants for their study. Preferably, the study has already been IRB-approved by the external institution. Full Board Review research is not eligible for Recruitment.

Templates for Supporting Documents

All research material seen or completed by participants is called the supporting documentation. The IRB will review all of these documents individually. The templates below can ensure that certain supporting documents contain the appropriate language and content required by the IRB. 

Determine which templates you need, then download copies and edit them with your specific project details. The yellow highlighted sections must be filled in or deleted as appropriate before submission. These templates are optional but highly recommended to speed up the approval process.

Recruitment Templates

Use these templates for either email or formal letter recruitment. Recruitment emails must be sent from an SEU address—not from a private account. Formal letters must have the SEU logo in the header.

• Invitation to Participate in Research (Generic)
• Invitation to Participate in Online Survey

Informed Consent Templates

The Informed Consent document is where the researcher outlines all the necessary information about the project to the subjects and guarantees certain protections. The Consent form must be read and signed (or "agreed to") by each participant before any data collection can begin. There are several ways a researcher may collect Consent, but the process must be secure and easily understood. The templates below can provide a starting point.

• Consent Form for Adults (Online form)
• Consent Form for Adults (Written signature form)
• Assent Form for Minors (Participants under 18)
• Consent Form for Guardian of a Minor (Required if Assent Form is included)
• Consent Form for Students in a Faculty Classroom Project (Faculty only)

AV Recordings Permission Template

The form below is required to be signed by your participants before audio-visual recordings are collected (i.e. Zoom interviews or focus groups). It specifically outlines how and why recordings will be made and what will happen to the personal data.

• Release of Audio-Visual Recordings 

Additional Resources