Tips for Web-Based Survey Research Platforms
Student PI Training Requirement: Reminder to Faculty Advisors and Student PIs
Assistance for New Faculty and Research Scientists: Research Navigation Tool
ICTS Clinical Lecture Series: Working WITH the IRB
Updates for the UI Research Community
In the News
IRB Educational Resources
Tips for Web-Based Survey Research Platforms
The Human Subjects Office (HSO) has published a new educational tool focused on two of the web-based survey research platforms that are available to faculty, staff, and students at the University of Iowa. The publication provides tips on using Qualtrics and REDCap, including the different features available on the platforms, as well as tools for avoiding common issues, such as over-enrollment, multiple survey submissions, and bot activity.
Topics addressed in the educational tool include:
survey testing
survey editing
creating logic quotas and
bot detection
institutional policies related to survey-based research
training and other support available
The new educational tool is available on the HSO website: Survey Based Research Educational Tool
Student PI Training Requirement: Reminder to Faculty Advisors and Student PIs
Graduate and undergraduate student principal investigators (PIs) are required to view recorded trainings about the HawkIRB New Project form (Parts 1 and 2) prior to submitting an application in HawkIRB. While the training is required for student PIs, it is recommended for all new faculty, staff, residents, fellows, professional students, and HawkIRB Delegates who will be using the HawkIRB system.
The student PI training policy was instituted to improve the quality of HawkIRB submissions and ensure efficiency of the IRB review process for all IRB applications. The training, available in the IRB ICON Course for Researchers, will assist student PIs in navigating the HawkIRB system and preparing thorough HawkIRB applications. Note to Faculty advisors and others who work with student PIs: Please make sure graduate and undergraduate student PIs know to complete this training.
More information is available about the training requirement at Roles and Responsibilities / Role of the Student PI, and more detailed information in the September 2022 IRB Connection Newsletter article.
Other educational resources are also available on the Human Subjects Office website:
IRB Overview Recording – If you did not hear this in a research methods course, you can access it in the IRB ICON Course for Researchers.
Do I Need IRB Approval – if you are uncertain whether your project is human subjects research requiring approval from the UI IRB (Get Started / Do I need IRB Approval)
Exempt Status – Most social/behavioral research qualifies for Exempt Status. You can read about this in the Exemption Tool (under Get Help / Educational Tools) and learn about it in the Part 5 HawkIRB training in the IRB ICON Course for Researchers.
HawkIRB Submissions – There is additional information about the IRB Review Process, HawkIRB System and New Project forms on the Submit to IRB web page.
Assistance for New Faculty and Research Scientists: Research Navigation Tool
By Emily Shultz, CIP
UI Research Administration units use a Research Navigation Tool to begin the onboarding process for new UI faculty and research scientists. This tool provides information about a wide range of UI programs that provide support for research. This tool collects information about the nature and type of research you conduct to help us better assist you with setting up your research program.
On a monthly basis, HSO staff sends an email with a link to the tool to all new faculty and research scientists. Based on research plans indicated in the Research Navigation Tool, representatives from the following units contact the researcher to provide guidance and support for transferring or initiating research activities:
Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) (work with the departmental grant administrator)
Human Subjects Office (HSO) and Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Offices of Animal Resources (OAR) and the Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
For researchers who work with human participants, the Human Subjects Office offers a one-on-one IRB orientation to provide guidance, resources and support. This session provides information about:
The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)
The IRB review process and requirements for submission
Other committees or entities that review and approve human subjects research applications
Features of the eResearch application system (HawkIRB), including the delegate permission system
Educational resources available for all human subjects researchers
Contact the IRB Education & Outreach team to learn about other educational resources for faculty and research scientists.
ICTS Clinical Lecture Series: Working WITH the IRB
By Kelly O’Berry, BS, CIP and Deb O’Connell-Moore, MBA
At the June Clinical Lecture Series hosted by the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS), Kelly O’Berry and Deb O’Connell-Moore provided an overview of the working relationships between researchers and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) / Human Subjects Office (HSO).
Novel Research Methods
Researchers are encouraged to consult with colleagues in their college or department to see if others have received IRB approval for similar procedures, as their insights and experience could be helpful. Researchers can also consult with HSO staff and IRB Chairs about novel research methods. An advance consult can help the HawkIRB application go through the IRB review process more smoothly.
Ask Questions
HSO staff invite researchers to ask questions and seek guidance at any time, but especially prior to submission of forms in HawkIRB. HSO staff can be reached phone (319-541-0326), email (irb@uiowa.edu) or at IRB Office Hours via Zoom.
The ICTS Regulatory Core is also available to assist with their virtual walk-in hours for guidance and support.
Request Clarification
During the IRB review process, HSO staff typically communicate with researchers through HawkIRB Workflow. This satisfies a regulatory requirement to maintain records of communications between the IRB and the PI. Researchers are encouraged to ask for clarification about a Workflow question/request if they are unsure of how to best address the revision.
To review a recording of this ICTS Clinical Lecture Series presentation, go to the IRB ICON Course for Researchers.
