EIU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Course Certification and Course Project Research

Students may be required in particular courses to conduct projects involving human subjects. The purpose of such projects is not intended to contribute to advances in generalizable knowledge, nor are the results of such activities to be published, presented, or archived. Rather, the function of these class projects is to contribute to the students’ individual knowledge and training in a particular academic discipline. Consequently, such projects are not research subject to IRB review as defined by this policy, unless the project places the subjects at more than minimal risk, usually evidenced by one or more of the following:

• The study asks identifiable subjects about illegal activities (e.g., underage drinking), which may place the data at risk of subpoena.
• The study places identifiable subjects at risk of a breach of confidentiality that may lead to criminal or civil liability, or damage the subject’s financial standing, employability, or reputation [45 CFR 46.109(b)(3)].
• The study places subjects at more than minimal risk due to psychologically sensitive subject matter (e.g., interviews covering traumatic events).
• Subjects are members of a vulnerable population (see IRB Policy A.2.1, Definitions).
  • Vulnerable populations include - but are not limited to: children, prisoners, pregnant persons, mentally disabled persons, economically or educationally disadvantaged persons, individuals who are unable to give informed consent due to a physical or mental condition, or individuals whose circumstances may make them vulnerable to coercion (e.g., probationers).

Instructors are advised to discuss protection of human subjects with students before the instructional assignment or project begins so that informed decisions can be made about whether IRB review is needed.  If even the slimmest likelihood exists that an instructional assignment or project may fall under the definition of research outlined in this document, students, under the guidance of the instructor, should submit an Application for Review of Course Project Research to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for review determination. If it is determined that IRB review is required, the student researcher will be instructed to submit the Application Addendum for Course Project Research for IRB for review and approval.  Please note that IRB approval of a research protocol cannot be granted retroactively under any circumstances.

Even though IRB review may not be required for most class projects, they are subject to faculty oversight as outlined in the following sections.

Certification of Courses

When instruction-related research projects involving human subjects are being performed as part of normal course activities, and such projects are not intended to contribute to generalizable knowledge or place the subjects at more than minimal risk, do not involve subjects who are members of a vulnerable population, and are not intended for publication, then the instructor should request course certification. This course approval mechanism ensures that human subjects in class projects are nevertheless protected in activities that are not under direct oversight by the IRB.

Instructors who teach such courses should file Form H: Course Certification Request Form, and the requested additional materials listed on Form H with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs prior to the initiation of any data collection by students, even though said data is intended for instructional purposes only.  Further, an instructor should not allow student research projects to begin until course certification approval has been received. This form should be submitted every semester by the instructor for each course in which instruction-related research is performed. If more than one instructor teaches a section of the same course, each instructor should submit the Course Certification Request Form. Completion and submission by the instructor of Form H: Course Certification Request Form and all required materials will designate certification of a course.

The submission of this form will certify to the IRB that the instructor is fully cognizant of the policies of EIU regarding the utilization of human subjects in research. Furthermore, the instructor will hereby certify to the IRB that she/he will exercise reasonable and customary instructional supervision in an attempt to ensure that all class research projects will be conducted in compliance with these policies.  Students should conduct only the activities approved by the instructor.

Instructional-related research projects must communicate applicable elements of informed consent (e.g., institutional affiliation of researcher, risk, benefit, voluntary participation, permission to withdraw, etc.) and include appropriate anonymity and confidentiality protections.

Instructors incorporating human subject research projects in their instruction should be trained in accordance with EIU policy, Section P.  In addition, instructors should provide training to students in the ethics of conducting research with human subjects in accordance with this same section.  This will ensure that students conducting class projects involving human subjects understand, and can apply, ethical principles in human research.

Students must report to their instructor any problems that may arise regarding human subjects as a result of project activities.  The instructor must investigate reported problems, and if any harm to a subject has or may occur, the instructor should inform the IRB immediately.  The students should cease project activities until it is determined whether or not the project may continue.

Course Project Research

If a student research project meets the criteria for course certification but involves subjects that are members of a vulnerable population, or if even the slimmest likelihood exists that an instructional assignment or project may fall under the definition of research as outlined in EIU Policy, student researchers, under the guidance of the instructor, should submit an Application for Review of Course Project Research, along with all relevant materials to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for review determination. If it is determined that IRB review is required, the student researcher will be instructed to submit the Application Addendum for Course Project Research for IRB for review and approval.  Please note that IRB approval of a research protocol cannot be granted retroactively under any circumstances.

Research projects that meet the criteria for course project research review should not be submitted on the Application for IRB Review. 

Vulnerable populations include - but are not limited to: children, prisoners, pregnant persons, mentally disabled persons, economically or educationally disadvantaged persons, individuals who are unable to give informed consent due to a physical or mental condition, or individuals whose circumstances may make them vulnerable to coercion (e.g., probationers).