Exemptions of the Common Rule

What exemptions of the Common Rule are most appropriate to social and behavioral research?

The Common Rule states that the following kinds of research projects can be exempt from formal Committee review.

• Research in educational settings involving educational practices.
• Research involving educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), surveys, interviews, or observations of public behavior, unless subjects are identified and disclosure of responses would involve more than minimal risk.

These exemptions may not apply to research involving vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, and prisoners. See Research Manual.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Exempt research is free from continued oversight by the IRB although the institution, NOT the researcher, must determine that the project fits into the exempt category prior to conducting the study. We have developed a checklist to assist researchers in determining potential exemption status. This MUST be submitted to the IRB to make this determination. See Research Manual for additional information.