Blanket Applications

Instructors may submit an application for a blanket exemption for their class one of two ways, described below. In both cases, the applications will be reviewed by the UCAIHS sub-Committee as with all other exempt proposals.

1. The instructor may develop a small set of clearly defined research assignments, all of which fall into exempt categories, from which all students will select a project. In such cases, in which a limited number of research topics are defined by the instructor, the application for the blanket exemption should include: the list of topics, standard recruitment procedures and materials, a standardized consent process and materials, and questionnaires, surveys or other materials to be used by members of the class.
2. The instructor may also decide to allow students in the course to each develop their own research project, but must make sure that all clearly fall into an exempt category. Projects that are deemed more than minimum risk, such as projects on sensitive topics, e.g., self-worth, family/personal problems, ethnicity, sexual behavior or orientation, or illegal activities, are NOT eligible for exempt status and cannot be included in a blanket application. The instructor will then submit an application that includes for each student: a one or two page statement giving the purpose of the research, the composition and number of subjects expected; how recruitment will be done; a copy of any proposed recruitment materials and the proposed consent materials. The application should also include any material that will be used for the projects, such as interview protocols, surveys or questionnaires and must provide cooperating organization letters, if applicable. Once the UCAIHS determines that the proposed projects meet the criteria for exempt review, individual student projects are reviewed, revised and approved individually."