Categories of Review for Research Studies
The CPHS office uses specific regulatory definitions and refers to the human subjects protections regulations in determining the appropriate level of review. Examples provided below are intended only to guide an investigator's determination of the level of review needed. Please contact the CPHS office with any questions about forms or the review process.
Determination that cphs review is not required
Projects that do not meet the regulatory definition of human subjects research may request a determination letter from the CPHS that review is not required. Please contact the CPHS office with questions.
Not Research Involving Human Subjects Form: the form includes the regulatory definitions of research and human subjects (Go to: Forms).
Protocol Guide to assist researchers determine which CPHS form they should use when preparing your application.
Exempt from further CPHS review
Determinations that a research project is exempt from review are made in the CPHS office. Exemption from review is only available to certain categories of research, as defined by federal regulation.
- Anonymous survey and interview procedures or observation (without intervention) of public behavior.
- Survey and interviews to which the identity of the participant can be linked but the information obtained is innocuous. Disclosure of this information would NOT reasonably place the participant at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the participant's financial standing, employability, or reputation.
- If information is recorded without any identifiers, study of data or pathological specimens for health care operations or research, or for public health activities and purposes.
Application Procedure:
Exemption Review Form (Go to: Forms).
CPHS Response
Upon receipt of an application for an exempt determination, the CPHS office will review the application and respond with questions, clarification requests, and notify the investigator by letter of the exemption.
Please note: Do not use the "Exemption Review Form" to apply for CPHS review of activities that do not involve human subjects research, use the "Not Research Involving Human Subjects form" to request a formal determination.
"Exemption from further review" is the level of review applied to certain categories of research activities involving human subjects that satisfy specific regulatory criteria. The use of the word "exempt" does not mean the project does not need CPHS review or that participant permission for research participation is not needed. The CPHS will review the project and, if applicable, grant the designation "Exempt from further review".
Expedited Review
This level of review only applies to research involving no more than minimal risk. Minimal risk is defined as a risk level similar to what is encountered in daily life or during performance of routine physical or psychological exams or tests. Only certain categories of research activities, as defined by federal regulation, are eligible for expedited review. NOTE: The standards of review for expedited studies are the same as for studies that receive Full Committee review.
Examples of research eligible for expedited review:
- Surveys, interviews, and focus groups which can be linked to individual participants and request some types of "sensitive" information.
- Collection of data or specimens using non-invasive procedures including audio, video, EEG, and ECG recordings, and ultrasound and MRI imaging.
- Blood draws.
- Study of data collected for non-research purposes, for example study of clinical data or pathological specimens.
Application Procedure:
Expedited Review materials (Go to: Forms)
Review Procedure
Upon receipt of completed application and associated materials, designated CPHS members will review materials. CPHS office will notify the Principal Investigator in writing of approval.
Please note: Continuing review (renewal) may be required for studies receiving expedited review.
Full Committee Review
- Criteria for exempt or expedited review are not met.
- Physical, psychological, economic, reputational, or social risk involved.
- Special populations (minors, prisoners, participants lacking decision making capacity).
Application Procedure:
Full Committee Review materials (Go to: Forms)
Review Procedure
CPHS office will notify the Principal Investigator in writing of the results of the review by the full committee.
Please note: Continuing review (renewal) is required for studies receiving full committee review.