FAQ
FAQ #1: What is the timeline for receiving approval for my research proposal?
Within 3 business days of submitting your proposal to irb@eckerd.edu, you will get email confirmation that it has been received. Feedback on your expedited proposal should be delivered within two weeks, provided it is received while school is in session. If your submission requires a full review, it will be discussed at the next monthly IRB meeting. Proposals must be received the week prior to the meeting. Please note that many proposals do requires changes and re-evaluation after the initial review. Make sure that you are submitting with enough time to receive feedback prior to your intended start date for data collection. Please provide the IRB adequate time to review your materials. IRB meeting dates are posted on this webpage under "Home" and "Apply for Approval". The IRB does not meet during the summer or during Winter Term. Proposals submitted during the summer will not be reviewed until the Fall term and proposals submitted during the Winter term will be reviewed in the Spring.
FAQ #2: What is the difference between anonymous and confidential research?
Anonymous research is when data are recorded such that no identifier whatsoever exists to link a subject's identity to that subject's response. No one can link an individual person to the responses of that person, including the investigator. With confidential research there exists a documented linkage between a subject's identity and his/her response in the research, and the investigator provides assurance in the protocol and in the informed consent form that the identity of any individual subject will not be revealed in any report of the study. Confidential means that the investigator can (or could) identify individuals who participated in a study, perhaps through a code. If you collect a consent form (either in person or online) where participants sign their name, your study is confidential, not anonymous. The majority of proposals submitted through the Eckerd IRB are for confidential protocols and your methods of data collection and the data itself cannot be BOTH anonymous and confidential.
FAQ #3: In what circumstances would I fill out a Faculty Assurance Form as opposed to the Research Proposal?
If you are a faculty member requiring student research with human subjects in a course and the students will not present the findings of their research outside of the course then the Faculty Assurance Form is all that you need to complete. If there is any chance of the findings being publicly disseminated, then you must prepare the Research Proposal Form. Please note that in both cases, you must provide proof of your current CITI training.
FAQ #4: What are the guidelines for using gift cards as incentives for research participants? If you are planning to offer gift cards as part of a study, please be aware of the following:
Per IRS Guidelines, gift cards are the same as cash regardless of the dollar amount of the card. Thus, gift cards are considered taxable income, in accordance with the guidelines listed in point 2.
Roles for the handling of the cards are similar to those associated with cash management:
a. A list of all gift card recipients (regardless of the amount) including contact information (phone number and email address) should be provided to the Business Office within 30 days of distribution.
b. Gift cards over the amount of $25 provided to US citizens will be reported as taxable income by Eckerd College’s business office.
c. Gift cards of any amount provided to any non-US citizen will be reported as taxable income by Eckerd College’s business office.
If you are using gift cards as an incentive to participate in human subjects research, your consent document should inform potential participants of points 2a-c and give them an opportunity to opt out of receiving a gift card. Participants should be informed that their responses will not be linked to this information.
Incentive items, including gift cards, must be part of the grant budget and be an allowable grant expense.
Want to suggest a question? Email irb@eckerd.edu.