Psychology Local Review Board (LRB) Procedures

Step-by-Step Instructions for Researchers

(LRB home page:  http://www.depaul.edu/~psych/lrb)

(Last updated: May 27, 2006)

This page is intended to help guide psychology researchers and instructors through the IRB process.  It is not a substitute for the DePaul IRB web pages, however, which should be considered the authoritative source for information about IRB procedures and policies.  IRB forms linked on this page are links to documents on the IRB web page.  LRB forms are available from the links in this document.   

Steps for Obtaining IRB Approval:

1. Determine whether IRB approval is required.
   • Consult the IRB web page to determine whether your project constitutes “research.”  All research activities require IRB review, even activities that qualify for exempt status (because the IRB must determine that they are exempt).
   • Some course activities meet the definition of research and therefore require review.  Consult the IRB web page.
2. Complete the appropriate forms and gather the required materials.  Failure to include any of the required items may delay your application.  Choose one of the four following options.  (Consult the IRB web page to determine whether your study qualifies for expedited review or exemption rather than full review.)  Starred * items MUST be submitted by email as well as in printed form.
   1. Full Review
      • * LRB Cover Sheet (Word document)
      • *IRB Application Template from IRB web page
      • *Consent form(s) – select and complete the appropriate template or templates from the IRB web page.
      • Copies of all experimental materials, surveys, etc.
      • *An informational feedback sheet, if required
        • Required if deception is used
        • Required for all projects with participants from the Intro Psych subject pool - Should include 2 references for students who would like more information on the topic, and contact information for the experimenter.
   2. Expedited Review
      • * LRB Cover Sheet (Word document)
      • *LRB expedited checklist (Word document)
      • *IRB Application Template from IRB web page
      • *Consent form(s) – select and complete the appropriate template or templates from the IRB web page.
      • Copies of all experimental materials, surveys, etc.
      • *An informational feedback sheet, if required (see above for requirements)
   3. Claim of Exemption
      • * LRB Cover Sheet (Word document)
      • *Claim of Exemption Form from IRB web page
      • Study materials (surveys, "Information sheet for exempt protocols" [instead of a consent form], stimuli, etc.) - if new data is being collected; not required for projects involving only analysis of existing data.
   4. Continuing Review Application (for renewals and changes to projects currently approved by DePaul IRB)
      • Continuing Review Application Template from IRB web page (submit directly to the IRB, not to the LRB)
3. Submit to the Psychology LRB:
   • 1 printed copy of your application (including all materials and forms) and
   • 1 email containing all forms and materials as attachments to the chair of the Psychology LRB 

   Be sure to include the words "LRB Application" in the subject heading of your email. Place all printed materials in a brown envelope marked “LRB Application” and place it in the “Local Review Board Application” bin on the shelf in the photocopy room. All proposals except Continuing Review Applications must be submitted to the LRB (when the LRB is in session).  Continuing Review Applications should be sent directly to the IRB instead.  Materials that can not be emailed must be listed on the LRB cover sheet.  Note, however, that your application will probably be reviewed significantly more quickly if you can include everything as email attachments. Use descriptive file names for all email attachments so that reviewers can easily tell which document is which. 

   The LRB accepts applications from Sept. 1 to Nov. 15, and from Jan. 1 to June 1. During the summer months, you may submit your proposal directly to the IRB (sheiser@depaul.edu) instead.

4. After review by the LRB, you will receive a memo from the LRB chair with suggested changes and modifications to the protocol (usually within 1 to 3 weeks).
5. Follow the instructions in the LRB feedback memo about making changes in your protocol and/or writing a memo responding to the LRB’s comments, and about where to send your revised application next.  If you made changes, the response memo should outline exactly what changes you made to the original application, clearly identifying the section where each change was made.   Be sure to submit 1 complete hard copy of your memo and of the full revised application (unless instructed otherwise in the feedback memo), including all forms and materials, and 1 emailed copy of your memo and full revised application.  Make sure the hard copy of the "IRB protocol application" is signed by both the principal investigator and faculty sponsor.
6. Once the LRB process is complete and your proposal has been sent on to the IRB, you should receive a response from the IRB within 4 weeks (probably sooner for expedited and exempt protocols). 
7. After receiving approval, check the continuing review procedures on the IRB web page to determine exactly the sorts of records that must be kept in order to meet the requirements of IRB approval.

Required Training for Researchers:   DePaul University requires that all individuals engaged in research on humans complete an on-line training program in the protection of human subjects (linked from the DePaul IRB web page) and submit a copy of the training certificate to the IRB.  If you do not already have a certificate on file with the IRB you should include one with your IRB application.  A certificate is also required to be placed on file with the IRB for each person who works on the project and has contact with participants.