Here's the response from our IRB Coordinator at the University of Kansas:

The query did not indicate what, if any, training or requirements are in place to ensure the rights of the people from whom the students gather data.  Nor did the query state what presentation of the research findings involved.  That is, what, if any, information is provided to the research participants, including informing them that the information gathered would be presented in a campus-wide forum?

The rights of individuals regarding participation in research aren't any less just because it is a student who is gathering data, and research participants shouldn't be treated any differently than they would if the investigator is a graduate student or faculty.  Students should be taught as soon as possible that they bear responsibilities to the people from whom they gather data, and those responsibilities are laid out clearly in 45 CFR 46, Protection of Human Subjects.

My answer is, not only should students not be allowed to present their work in a campus-wide forum, but students should not be allowed to conduct research (i.e. gather data from people) without having their research project(s) reviewed by the IRB.  Probably most such projects would be exempt from full board review and may be eligible for expedited review, but that does not mean that the institution has no responsibility, either to the students to ensure that they begin learning about research with the proper attitude toward research participants, or to the research participants themselves, who have the right to be informed about various aspects of the research.

David Hann

>>>The chair of our IRB asked me to post this question to the List:

For institutions that define undergraduate "research" involving human subjects as class projects rather than research (thus the projects are not submitted for IRB approval),  are the students allowed to present their work in a campus-wide forum?

Thanks for any input you can provide.

Jan

Jan W. McLaurin, Ph.D., CRA
Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Funds
SUNY New Paltz
75 S. Manheim Blvd.
New Paltz, NY  12561-2443

xxxxxx@matrix.newpaltz.edu
Ph.   (914) 257-3282
FAX  (914) 257-3284

Kim Moreland, Director
Contract Negotiations and Research Compliance
The University of Kansas
Center for Research, Inc.
2385 Irving Hill Road
Lawrence, KS  66044-7552
Phone:  785/864-7431
Fax:  785/864-5049

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