Guidelines for IRB Submissions

In order to accommodate University IRB changes, and to facilitate and speed processing, the College of Communication & Information Human Subjects Review Committee (CCI DRC) has adopted the following procedures for seeking approvals for conducting Human Subjects Research.

Procedures for seeking IRB approvals for Human Subjects Research

For Form A applications, submit a completed application as an email attachment (in Word, HTML, or PDF) to the CCI Review committee chair or designate for initial review. The Chair should respond within a couple of business days. If changes are needed, refile when those are made. When the application is judged ready for approval, deliver a hard copy of the application with PI, co_PI and/or advisor signatures to the CCI Review committee Chair. You should receive CCI DRC approval within several business days, and UT IRB confirmation within another couple of business days..

For Form B applications, submit a completed application as an email attachment (in Word, HTML, or PDF) to the CCI Review committee chair or designate for initial review. The Chair may ask for initial revisions, or distribute to the full committee. Full committee review can take one to two weeks, and may result in the need for additional revisions/clarifications. If there are revisions requested, you will need to file a revised application, taking into consideration the reviewer comments. When the application is deemed acceptable, deliver a hard copy of the application with signatures (PI and/or co-PIs or advisor) to the CCI Review committee Chair. You will receive a notice of CCI approval, and the application will then be forwarded to the UT IRB committee for additional review. At that time, further interactions will be with the UT IRB compliance officer.

In general, the longest delays come from having to communicate back and forth about needed revisions/modifications/clarifications and getting signatures. It is hoped that by shifting to online processing except for the final approved version, we can save some time in the process.

Copies of Forms and samples of supporting documents can be found at the UT Office of Research site, or at the CCI IRB site. Those sites also contain a variety of guides and other support material.