Resources and Training

A research proposal’s Principal Investigator (PI) has a set of duties and responsibilities to ensure the project stays within protocol and best practices. For a list of some of these duties, and a general overview of leading research and IRB protocol, please download and review the Principal Investigator Handbook.

Informed Consent Samples

Researchers are required to submit an informed consent to be used in studies that involve human research subjects. They are authorized to use their own informed consent forms so long as they meet the criteria outlined in SU1 Informed Consent Review. Samples that may be modified are available below. Please make sure to replace all highlighted sections with the relevant text before submission. The IRB will not spellcheck or fix errors on submitted informed consent documents.

IC1 Sample Social Behavioral– General informed consent for most social science research projects

IC2 Sample Parent – Template for parental approval of proposals involving children

IC3 Sample Minor – Template for the child approval for proposals involving children

IC4 Sample Teacher – Template for the teacher approval for proposals involving children in instructional settings

IC5 Sample Online – Template for proposals that will involve online surveys and similar instruments

Study Approval Criteria

All research proposals are reviewed using the same objective criteria, which are made available to prospective researchers below.  Before submitting a research proposal, please carefully review each of the checklists that apply to the prospective study. Failure to assure that the proposal is in compliance to SoCal BSP’s approval criteria may result in a denial and delay the approval process.

The checklists below are for reference and are not required to be completed or turned in with any research proposal. The IRB will be using the same forms below.

GR4 Scientific Validity – Used to determine is a study is scientifically relevant

SU1 Informed Consent Review – Criteria necessary for informed consent

SU2 Advertisement Review – Proposals that use advertisements to recruit participants

SU3 Federal Departments– Proposals that will be working with a United States federal department

SU4 International Research – Proposals that will involve participants or staff outside the United States

AC1.1 Short Form of Consent Supplement – Proposals that use a shortened informed consent form

AC1.2 Waived Consent – Proposals that waive informed consent.

AC1.3 Pregnant Women – Proposals that involve pregnant women

AC1.4 Children – Proposals that involve children under the age of 18

AC1.5 Impaired Adults – Proposals that involve adults with cognitive disabilities

AC1.6 Prisoners – Proposals that involve incarcerated individuals

AC1.0 Additional Considerations – Additionally required for proposals that required any other AC1 form

FN1 Funding and Contracts – Proposals that will involve money and budgeting

FN2 Payment Worksheet – Proposals that involve compensation to staff or participants

All research approvals are done at the discretion of the board. Proposals that abide by the above listed criteria may still be denied for other reasons as decided by the IRB.