CHECKLIST FOR NEW IRB PROTOCOLS:

(do not upload with protocol)

1. Online NIH tutorial on the protection of human subjects in research:

  • Have you and all Key Personnel (persons from BSU who will have a role in the research project, including Faculty Sponsor if PI is a student) completed the online tutorial on the protection of research subjects?
  • If not, go to take the tutorial.
  • Are completion certificates for you and all Key Personnel on file with the IRB?
  • If not, upload with the protocol an electronic copy of each certificate not on file.

2. Human Subjects Research Application Form:

  • Have you completed the application form for your study? Did you download the most recent version from the forms library? Did you answer all of the items?
  • Are all Key Personnel listed on page 2, with descriptions (not just “co-PI” or “faculty sponsor”) of their responsibilities?
  • For student PIs: have you listed your Faculty Sponsor on page 2 as Key Personnel? Did you provide your Faculty Sponsor with full access to your protocol? Has your Faculty Sponsor completed the “Faculty Sponsor Assurance Statement” on page 2 of the application form?
  • Please provide a description of his/her responsibilities with regard to your study. This may include responsibilities such as assisting with data collection, analyzing data, recruitment, limited to general oversight, available for questions from the PI, etc.
  • Have you listed all collaborators from other institutions on page 3 (or as a separate attachment if necessary)?

3. Narrative:

  • Have you developed a narrative to describe your study, written according to the Narrative Guidelines? Did you download the most recent version of the Narrative Guidelines from the forms library?
  • Did you explain all discipline-specific terminology in the narrative?
  • IRB members are chosen for their varied backgrounds and may not be familiar with the terminology of your specific area. Please use laypersons terms when possible.

4. Attachments:

  • Did you upload all relevant additional materials, such as any of the following?
  • Informed consent documents (for expedited and full review protocols)
  • Parental permission forms (for expedited and full review protocols, with minors)
  • Introductory letters (for exempt protocols)
  • Surveys or interview questions
  • Recruitment letters or e-mails
  • Recruitment or introductory scripts
  • Flyers or posters
  • Postcards, PowerPoint presentations, photographs, etc. as appropriate

In order to grant approval or exemption, the IRB must review all that participants will see or hear as a result of your study. Therefore, the IRB cannot complete the review of protocols that are missing these documents if they are pertinent to your study.

  • If you will be conducting research at another organization or institution, did you obtain (or are seeking) permission or approval to conduct your research at that location?
  • This may involve obtaining a letter from someone with the authority to grant you permission to conduct research at that organization or institution. Please upload an electronic copy of that letter with your protocol, or indicate that a letter is being sought in you are still in the process of obtaining permission.
  • If you will conduct some or all of your research at another university, college, or hospital (including BallMemorialHospital), have you determined if review by that institution’s IRB will be required?
  • You should check with their IRB, research compliance, or sponsored programs office for that institution’s requirements before beginning any recruitment efforts at that institution. Please upload an electronic copy of any approval/exemption letters with your protocol once you have received them.
  • IRB approval/exemption should be obtained from BallState’s IRB before submitting a protocol for review at the other institution, but it is strongly recommended that you initiate communication with the other IRB office earlier in the process.

5. Electronic signatures and submitting the protocol:

  • Did you as the PI electronically sign the protocol (click on “Sign this Package” button for directions) before submitting the study to the IRB?
  • For student PIs: did your Faculty Sponsor for this study also electronically sign the protocol before submitting the study to the IRB?
  • Did you ensure all required forms and documents have been uploaded (and for student PIs, reviewed by the Faculty Sponsor) before submitting the study?
  • Once the protocol has been submitted, the study will be locked and you will not be able to make changes without contacting the administrator ( or 765-285-5070).
  • Did you submit the study to “Ball State University IRB, Muncie, IN”?

NOTE: The IRB website lists deadlines and associated meeting dates for review. Protocols should be submitted electronically through IRBNet ( Training materials are available through the IRB website at

If you have any questions, please contact:

Research Compliance Dr. Leonard Kaminsky

Sponsored Programs OfficeIRB Chairperson

765-285-5070Human Performance Laboratory

765-285-4044