IRB Decision Tree

This decision tree should be used to determine whether or not your proposed research falls under the federal regulations for research on human subjects. If you are at all unsure or have questions regarding the submission of your study, please contact the IRB Administrator at irb@kennesaw.edu or at (678) 797-2268.

Does this activity meet the regulatory definition of research (a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge)?

IRB review and approval is not required.

Does this activity involve interaction or intervention with, or collection of information or specimens about, living individuals?

This research does not involve human subjects. IRB review is not required and nothing needs to be submitted to the IRB.

Does the research involve intervention or interaction with the individuals?

Does the research involve access to information that is  individually identifiable (i.e., the identity of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with the information.)

IRB review is required. Please review the Exemption Screening Checklist on the IRB web site to determine if you must submit the standard IRB Approval Request or if your research qualifies for an exemption. If an exemption is appropriate, an IRB Exemption Request must be submitted.

Does the research involve private information (i.e., about behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place, or provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the individual can reasonably expect will not be made public, such as a medical or school record)?

This research does not involve human subjects. IRB review is not required and nothing needs to be submitted to the IRB.