Student/Research Practica are projects conducted by undergraduate and/or graduate students gaining experience in research methods (e.g., survey, interview, etc.) during a particular course. The Faculty Advisor, usually the course instructor, takes full responsibility for all practica activities. Practica are NOT research conducted to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge and are therefore, not subject to IRB review. Refer to CUNY HRPP Guidance: When is CUNY HRPP or IRB Review Required?
Research is a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.
Human subject is a living individual about whom an investigator (professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual or (2) identifiable private information.
Intervention includes both physical procedures by which data are gathered (for example, venipuncture) and manipulations of the participant or his/her environment performed for research purposes.
Interaction involves communication or interpersonal contact between investigator and participant.
Identifiable means that the identity of the participant is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with the information.
Private information is about behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place and information which has been provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the individual can reasonably expect will not be made public (for example, a medical record).
If the project meets the definition of Human Subjects Research, the student and his/her advisor are to submit an application via IRB Manager. If it will be conducted in a New York City Public School, the student must also obtain approval from the NYC DoE IRB. Depending on the nature of the project, additional approvals may also be required.
Reminder: No research-related activity may commence until the CSI HRPP Office and in some cases, the University-Integrated (UI) Institutional Review Board (IRB) have reviewed and subsequently granted approval of the project.
For assistance with your project, contact the HRPP Office.