Guidelines for IRB Submissions

In order to accommodate University IRB changes, and to facilitate and speed processing, the College of Communication & Information Human Subjects Review Committee (CCI DRC) has adopted the following procedures for seeking approvals for conducting Human Subjects Research.

Procedures for seeking IRB approvals for Human Subjects Research

For Form A applications, submit a completed application as an email attachment (in Word, HTML, or PDF) to IRB (at) cci.utk.edu for initial review. You should receive an acknowlegement within a couple of business days, followed by an initial review. If changes are needed, you will need to refile the revised application when those are made. When the application is judged ready for approval, deliver a hard copy of the application with PI, co_PI and/or advisor signatures to the person who handled your review. You should receive CCI DRC approval within several business days, and UT IRB confirmation within another couple of business days.

While the procedures and process are the essentially the same, you should note that if you seek Form A approval for an externally funded research project, that approval must come from the UT IRB, and may take a little longer.

For Form B applications, submit a completed application as an email attachment (in Word, HTML, or PDF) to IRB (at) cci.utk.edu. You should receive and acknowledgement within a couple of business days. At that time the person doing the initial review may ask for needed revisions, or may distribute the application directly to the full committee. Form B's need to be reviewed by multiple committee members, Full committee review can take one to two weeks, and may result in the need for additional revisions/clarifications. If there are revisions requested, you will need to file a revised application, taking into consideration the reviewer comments. When the application is deemed acceptable, deliver a hard copy of the application with signatures (PI and/or co-PIs or advisor) to the person handling your application. You will receive a notice of CCI approval, and the application will then be forwarded to the UT IRB committee for additional review. At that time, further interactions will be with the UT IRB compliance officer.

In general, the longest delays come from having to communicate back and forth about needed revisions/modifications/clarifications and getting signatures. It is hoped that by shifting to online processing except for the final approved version, we can save some time in the process. Using a single email address (IRB (at) cci.utk.edu) will also help with tracking applications, and minimizing delays resulting from committee members being out of the office.

Copies of Forms and samples of supporting documents can be found at the UT Office of Research site, or at the CCI IRB site. Those sites also contain a variety of guides and other support material.

Again, all applications and correspondence should be directed through IRB (at) cci.utk.edu