Thank you for taking the time to engage with Mid Michigan College's Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is responsible for reviewing all research projects submitted by College personnel to ensure the protection of human subjects' rights and welfare, and ensures that risks related to research are assessed and minimized, potential benefits are identified, participation is voluntary as demonstrated by informed consent, and confidential information is safeguarded.

• Students may submit a research proposal as a Co-Investigator if they have a faculty member identified as the Principal Investigator (PI).
• Researchers must obtain approval from the IRB before seeking human subject participation and/or starting data collection.
• The IRB maintains compliance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for Human Research Protections (45 CFR part 46).

Select research projects involving human subjects are exempt from needing IRB approval. Exempt activities typically include regular educational practices, such as course-related work, educational tests without identified subjects, and surveys or interviews where subjects participate voluntarily and remain anonymous.

The IRB holds the authority to review, approve, require changes to, or disapprove research conducted by or through the College that involves human subjects. However, the IRB does not evaluate the quality of the research study, the validity of the research design, or the contribution of the research to the academic field. Instead, its role is to ensure each project adheres to ethical standards concerning informed consent, confidentiality, and participant risk.

Complete the application below to determine what regulations your planned research must meet and to begin the IRB review process.

Questions? Email ir@midmich.edu for guidance.

Educational Practices

• You don’t need IRB review just to try a new teaching technique. However, if you plan to systematically collect data to evaluate its effectiveness—especially to publish or present your findings—then it becomes research involving human subjects and may require review.
  • Your project may qualify if
    • The research takes place in a standard educational setting (like your regular classroom).
    • You’re studying routine practices like teaching strategies, classroom management, or curriculum comparisons.
    • The research does not increase risks to students (e.g., no sensitive topics or extra burden).
  • In Plain Terms
    • Trying a new group project format? That’s innovation.
    • Surveying students to compare it with last semester’s outcomes and publishing results? That’s research.
    • If the goal is to improve teaching generally and share your findings, it often qualifies as research but may still be exempt from full IRB review under this category.

Educational Tests, Surveys, Interviews, or Public Observations

• If your research involves asking people questions, observing behavior, or using standardized tests, your project may qualify for an IRB exemption—as long as it meets certain protections for participants.
  • Your project may qualify if
    • The data you collect is anonymous, You do not collect names, emails, ID numbers, or other identifiers, and Participants cannot be “figured out” based on answers, OR
    • The data is identifiable, but not risky.
      • Even if participants can be identified, their responses are not sensitive or harmful (e.g., not about illegal activity, mental health, or personal trauma), and Disclosure wouldn’t cause embarrassment, legal issues, or impact their reputation, OR You’re collecting identifiable data, but agree to a limited IRB review. This means a quick check to ensure you have proper privacy and confidentiality measures in place.
  • In Plain Terms
    • Asking students how they felt about a course activity with no names? Probably exempt.
    • Interviewing teachers about classroom practices? Likely exempt if responses aren’t sensitive.
    • Surveying people on controversial topics with identifying info? Needs a closer look.

Benign Behavioral Interventions

• This category applies to research with adult participants who agree in advance to participate in a brief, harmless activity. These are typically low-risk, short-term interventions designed to study behavior—and may qualify for IRB exemption if certain criteria are met.
  • Your project may qualify if
    • The intervention is harmless and non-invasive.
      • Examples include asking participants to solve puzzles under time pressure, showing a short video and measuring emotional response, asking people to make decisions in a hypothetical scenario (e.g., financial choices, ethical dilemmas), asking participants to complete memory or attention tasks on a computer.
    • The participant is an adult who gives clear, informed consent.
      • They must know what they’re agreeing to ahead of time, you cannot surprise them or withhold key information unless approved in advance. The research doesn’t involve deception — or if it does, participants are debriefed afterward.
    • The study does not cause physical pain, emotional distress, or lasting impact.
    • If you collect identifiable information, a limited IRB review may still be required to ensure privacy protections.
  • In Plain Terms
    • Having students play a game and track decision-making? Likely exempt.
    • Asking adults to read different news stories and rate their reactions? Likely exempt.
    • Running a multi-week therapy-style intervention? Not exempt.

Secondary Research Where Consent Is Not Required

• This category applies to research that involves the reuse of existing data, records, or biospecimens—as long as the data was originally collected for a purpose other than your current research (e.g., medical records, archived surveys, institutional data). You can use this category without getting new consent from participants if specific conditions are met.
  • Your project may qualify if one or more of the following apply
    • The data is publicly available.
      • For example, public government datasets, published health statistics, or public-use files from research repositories.
    • You record the data in a way that makes it non-identifiable.
      • Even if you have access to identifying info, you do not record names, ID numbers, or anything that could be traced back to individuals.
    • The data use is regulated under HIPAA.
      • For example, using medical records under a HIPAA waiver or agreement as part of your research protocol.
      • This often applies to health-related or institutional records when privacy rules are followed.
    • The research is conducted by or for a federal agency.
      • The research involves information previously collected for non-research purposes (e.g., education, healthcare, public health).
  • In Plain Terms
    • Using public census data? Exempt.
    • Analyzing de-identified student survey data from last year? Likely exempt.
    • Accessing identifiable health records with proper HIPAA protections? May be exempt.
    • Using internal College data with identifiers still attached? Needs review.

Public Benefit or Service Program Research

• This category applies to research projects that are conducted by or receive formal approval from a federal department or agency, and are designed to study, improve, or evaluate public benefit or service programs. These are typically government-backed studies that assess the effectiveness, delivery, or structure of large-scale public programs. Documentation of federal agency approval or involvement is key to qualify for this category.
  • Your project may qualify if
    • The research is conducted by or on behalf of a federal agency, or has received written approval from that agency.
    • The project evaluates or improves public programs or policies, such as Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare, Public education initiatives, Unemployment services, or Federal housing programs.
    • The focus is on evaluating Procedures for obtaining benefits or services, Program effectiveness, Alternative delivery methods,or  Conditions for program eligibility.
  • In Plain Terms
    • Working with a federal agency to assess access to SNAP benefits? Likely exempt.
    • Studying a local nonprofit program without federal involvement? Not exempt under this category.
    • Evaluating a federally funded educational pilot with agency approval? May qualify.

Taste & Food Quality Evaluation

• This category applies to research that involves participants tasting or evaluating food or beverages, as long as what they’re consuming is safe and commonly available. It’s typically used in food science, nutrition, agriculture, and consumer behavior studies. You may need to document ingredient safety or provide product labels to confirm compliance. If in doubt, consult with the IRB or your campus safety officer.
  • Your project may qualify if
    • The foods are wholesome and contain no additives OR
      • Examples: Fresh fruits, vegetables, plain cooked grains or meats, tap water.
    • The foods contain additives or agricultural chemicals, but are within safe, FDA-approved levels.
      • Examples: Taste-testing a commercially available snack, soda, or frozen meal that meets safety standards.
    • No experimental or unsafe ingredients can be used.
  • In Plain Terms
    • Asking participants to compare the taste of two kinds of apples? Exempt.
    • Surveying consumer opinions on a canned soup brand? Exempt.
    • Testing a new food additive not yet approved for public use? Not exempt.

Storage or Maintenance for Secondary Research Use

• This category applies to the storage or maintenance of identifiable private information or biospecimens that may be used later for secondary research. The key is that broad consent has been obtained from participants allowing their data or specimens to be stored and potentially reused. Broad consent forms must clearly explain potential future uses and storage conditions. Consult IRB for proper consent documentation and review requirements.
  • Your project may qualify if
    • You have obtained broad consent from participants for future, unspecified research use of their identifiable data or biospecimens.
    • The data or biospecimens are being stored or maintained specifically for potential secondary research.
    • A limited IRB review is conducted to ensure privacy protections and consent are adequate.
  • In Plain Terms
    • Collecting and storing blood samples with participant consent to use in future studies? May qualify.
    • Holding identifiable health records with consent for later research? Likely exempt under this category.
    • Using stored data without consent? Not exempt and requires full IRB review.

Secondary Research Use with Broad Consent

• If you’re using identifiable information or biospecimens that were originally collected for other research, your project may qualify—but only if broad consent was secured.
  
  • Your project may qualify if
    • Broad consent was given by participants for future research use.
    • You have documentation proving that consent.
    • A limited IRB review is completed to ensure participant protections.
  • In Plain Terms
    • Using stored data or samples from participants who already agreed to future research? May qualify, as long as you've documented consent and completed an IRB check.
    • Missing consent or no review? You'll need to complete a full IRB review.

Thanks! We know that was a lot, but with this information, we'll be able to effectively and efficiently evaluate your research project and connect with you regarding any questions promptly. We appreciate your time and are excited to help you navigate the IRB review process. Simply confirm the validity of your above entries via your signature below and we'll get started!

My signature below certifies that the information above provided in this application is accurate and complete.

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