Human Subjects (IRB)

The IRB is charged with reviewing and monitoring human subjects' research conducted under the auspices of Ohio University. Human subjects research is any project that meets both the federal definitions of "research" and "human subjects." Human subjects research conducted by Ohio University faculty, staff, or students is subject to IRB review or, when appropriate, a determination by the Office of Research Compliance that the research meets the criteria for an exempt category.  

For projects that meet the definition of human subjects research, you must receive an IRB approval or exempt determination before you may begin your research activities.  

Research is defined as a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.  

Human subject is defined as a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research: 

(i) Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and uses, studies, or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or 

(ii) Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens. 

To submit for IRB review or an exempt determination, please make a new study submission in Cayuse.  

If you need additional guidance, please contact us at compliance@ohio.edu 

All researchers who conduct human subjects research must complete the required training https://www.ohio.edu/research/compliance/training  

News and Updates

Office of Research Compliance launches peer-to-peer IRB mentoring program to support graduate student researchers (News Article): Office of Research Compliance launches peer-to-peer IRB mentoring program to support graduate student researchers 

September 22, 12pm-12:45pm: ORC Webinar: Elements of Informed Consent: Revised Common Rule Requirements and Ohio University Messaging for Consent Documents, via Teams, register here: (Registration link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/00ec169c-f596-43d1-a9da-286ffb3622e5@f3308007-477c-4a70-8889-34611817c55a)

  • Why and when is certain information required in consent forms for IRB protocols? Come and learn about required elements of informed consent for full and expedited protocols, and preview the new shorter information sheet template for exempt protocols at OHIO. We’ll spend some time workshopping a draft consent form together. There will be time for questions about constructing informed consent documents at the end of the presentation.

October 7, 10am-11am: Fall 2026 Student Investigator Series: Completing an Initial Submission Template (Grad Commons - Baker 403, and remote via Teams) (Registration link forthcoming)

October 20, 12pm-12:45pm: ORC Webinar: Study Personnel Roles in Human Subjects Research: What Makes Someone “Study Personnel,” Anyway? via Teams, register here: (Registration link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/af3f3e09-0b4f-41b6-a4d3-f950c381eaee@f3308007-477c-4a70-8889-34611817c55a)

  • When would someone need to be listed as “study personnel” in a Cayuse IRB protocol submission, and when would they not necessarily need to be accounted for in these roles? Come and learn about when people are and are not generally “engaged” in human subjects research and troubleshoot common scenarios to keep in mind when constructing your study teams and writing your IRB protocols. There will be time for questions about study personnel roles at the end of the presentation.

October 28, 10am-11am: Fall 2026 Student Investigator Series: Special Topics (Grad Commons - Baker 403, and remote via Teams) (Registration link forthcoming)

November 17, 12pm-12:45pm: ORC Webinar: AI, Insincere Participants, and Bots, Oh My: Recruiting Authentically for Remote Human Subjects Research, via Teams, register here: (Registration link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0f2e3dba-135c-422f-963d-0c25270d7fb2@f3308007-477c-4a70-8889-34611817c55a)

  • As the proportion of human subjects research conducted remotely continues to increase, how can researchers have a better idea that the participants taking their online surveys or doing their online interviews are real people who are eligible for the study? In many cases, it can be difficult to verify research participants’ authenticity and eligibility for research studies. This webinar will offer investigators some practical suggestions for minimizing this issue. There will be time for questions about insincere research participation at the end of the presentation.

Cayuse Human Ethics for IRB Submissions

Cayuse Human Ethics is the online platform used to submit a project to the OHIO ORC/IRB for review. To navigate to Human Ethics, log in to Cayuse using your OHIO credentials and select "Human Ethics" from the "products" drop down menu.

STUDENTS - students will need to Request the creation of a Cayuse account before they will be able to log in or appear in the "find people" search to be added to a protocol. Request an account. Accounts are created manually and may take up to 2 business days.  

For step-by-step tutorials on submitting a study in Cayuse Human Ethics, please visit our Cayuse Human Ethics webpage. 

View a recording of a Cayuse Informational Session for Researchers. (You will need to log in with your OHIO credentials to view.)

Helpful Links:

Need help? For more information on research involving human subjects, email compliance@ohio.edu or call 740-593-0664.