IRB Guide for CCI Researchers

PLEASE NOTE: This guide is prepared for researchers in the College of Information & Communication. Information for the University community about the Human Research Protection Program including the IRB is at tiny.utk.edu/hrpp

The Human Research Participant Program (HRPP) is overseen by the Research Integrity and Assurance Division in UT’s Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development. The HRPP, in partnership with its research community, is responsible for ensuring the ethical and equitable treatment of all human subjects in research conducted under the university’s auspices. Human Research Protection (HRPP) includes institutional leaders, the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and staff.

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulates all research activities involving human subjects on the UT Knoxville campus. All UT Knoxville research involving human participants must be reviewed following UT Knoxville IRB policies and procedures. It must be approved prior to the initiation of research activity such as contact with potential human participants.

All IRB applications must be submitted through iMedRIS (Integrated Medical Research Information System).

CCI researchers contact us for assistance navigating iMedris and/or questions about specific IRB requirements. For iMedris log-in and other access issues contact utkirb@utk.edu

IRB Resources (through the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development)

iMedRIS Guides — step-by-step guides for navigating iMedris, routing your IRB, and revising your application.
Research Guidelines – IRB guides and workshop videos
IRB Forms – IRB Review Checklist; Informed Consent

IRB Routing Procedure for CCI Researchers

When submitting an IRB application, please follow the routing order below to ensure smooth processing through the CCI review process:

DRC, Kat Capstick: Note that Dr. Mike Kotowski is the Department Review Chair for CCI. Kat is listed so she can assist with the mechanics of this process.
Dept. Head, Suzie Allard

Important: For the IRB application, UT requires that your faculty advisor on the research is listed as PI, and you will be listed as co-PI . Your faculty advisor is the research expert who provides guidance for your research design, description and associated documents. Kat can assist you with the iMedRIS software and the administrative process of filing your application.

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training Resources

The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) requires current CITI training for each PI, Co-PI, Sub-Investigator, Faculty Advisor, and all Research Personnel (e.g. research assistant, coordinator, etc.) listed on a human subjects research application.

The two modules required by CCI are:

Basic Courses in IRB/Human Subjects Research

Social and Behavioral Focus Basic/Refresher — For most people in Social and Behavioral or Humanities disciplines.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Social and Behavioral RCR (Psychology, Social Work, etc.)

CITI training is accessed at https://research.utk.edu/training-workshops/online/citi and you can use your UT NetID and password to log in.