IRB Information
All those pursuing research with human subjects at Columbia University must obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
The entire IRB approval process is now handled online, through RASCAL. RASCAL is where you file a conflict of interest form, obtain your human subjects certificate in the testing center, generate consent forms and file human subjects approval forms. You fill out all forms online, and upload files with research materials, fliers and so forth.
The IRB Web site has a policies page where you can download guidelines about what research counts as exempt (typically, if your study is with anonymous adults, and involves no deception or manipulation, nor sensitive materials), guidelines for generating fliers and more.
Please note that when submitting proposals to the IRB, if you wish to post announcements to the lab listserv or study system, or allow or deny participation in your study based on some selection criteria maintained by the study system, you must include these points in your submission.
If you have specific questions about the IRB process, or want to check on the status of your application and cannot find any additional information, you may call the IRB office at (212) 851-7040 and ask to speak with administrative aide Amy Kelly, IRB specialist Joyce Plaza or the office manager Cheryl Savini.
Further questions may be directed to the lab coordinator.
