Frequently Asked Questions

Project(s) which involve the collection of data from human participants may require review and approval by FSC’s IRB prior to data collection.

A key factor of whether a project is considered research with human participants requiring IRB review is whether the purpose of collecting the data is to answer a universal question that would apply “outside the walls” of FSC. In other words, if the data are collected solely for our own internal evaluation (such as internal course evaluation or college policy assessment) it is not considered generalizable knowledge and does not require IRB review. However, if the data have any relevance to answer research questions outside of FSC, it is considered research with human participants and would require IRB review. In practical terms, if the data could lead to publication/presentation in any venue outside of FSC (conference presentation, scientific journal, educational journal, etc.) the project would require IRB review. Please note: the IRB does not provide retroactive approvals so if there is any possibility that the project may lead to information that would be presentable/publishable, the project must receive IRB approval before initiating protocol activities.

Additionally, the Federal policy’s definition of research excludes several projects previously deemed to be research including some oral histories from which results will not be generalized.

If you believe that your project does not meet the definition of research, and thus would not require IRB review, please complete the IRB Research Questionnaire [https://www.farmingdale.edu/institutional-review-board/pdf/irb-research-questionnaire.docx]. The IRB will make the final determination as to whether the project meets the definition of research.

IRB protocols are submitted through Axiom Mentor [Link?]. Go to MYFSC, click Axiom Mentor on the left side navigation list and click IRB at the top.   

IRB protocols should be submitted at least one month prior to the researcher's planned data collection for Exempt and Expedited protocols and three months prior for protocols that do not meet the requirements for Exempt or Expedited review. Protocols that do not meet these requirements are reviewed by the full board.

Document Library (not submitted via Axiom)

• Project Closure Form (Protocols reviewed prior to 9/1/20)
• External Research Request Form
• IRB Research Questionnaire
• Site Permission Letter Template

All researchers must complete a human participants research training program. There is no charge to FSC Faculty, Students and Staff who complete training courses through the CITI program.  

https://www.citiprogram.org/ External link [EXTERNAL] 

FSC's CITI course options for research involving human participants have been revised. The new course options include:

• Basic Social/Behavioral-Educational (Pedagogical) Research Course: Required for projects that solely qualify as Exempt Category 1 social/behavioral research. Relevant supplemental course modules relating to your research project also must be completed.
• Advanced Social/Behavioral Research Course: Required for all other social/behavioral research involving human participants. Relevant supplemental course modules relating to your research project also must be completed.
• Biomedical Research Course: Required for biomedical research involving human participants. Relevant supplemental course modules relating to your research project also must be completed.

Temporary:

• If you have completed a CITI course prior to 9/1/20, please contact the IRB Office for further instructions prior to taking any new courses, refresher courses or individual course modules.
• Due to recent changes to FSC's CITI course offerings, FSC CITI courses completed before 8/27/20 will no longer have corresponding refresher courses. When your course expires, instead complete the appropriate new initial course in CITI. FSC CITI courses completed after 8/27/20 will still offer the option for individuals to complete refresher courses upon expiration of the initial course.

https://aries.farmingdale.edu/institutional-review-board/ferpa-guidance-on-using-educational-records-for-research.shtml