The MLS Student Handbook

Research involving human subjects

If your research will involve human or animal subjects, you need to understand the relevant policies. An example of research involving human subjects is research that collects information from individuals through surveys or other means.  You should engage in no research that involves human or animal research without first obtaining approval from your faculty advisor and from the Dean of the Graduate School.  Make sure to work with your faculty advisor to complete the Application for Approval to Use Human Subjects before you begin any research that involves human subjects.  Please also carefully read FHSU's policy and procedures regarding research involving human subjects.  The process for obtaining approval for the involvement of human or animal subjects may be relatively quick if the ‘minimum risk’ standard is met.  If your research involves animal subjects, please see Research Involving Animal Subjects.


Other sources pertaining to research involving human subjects that you may find useful include the following:

    American Political Science Association, A Guide to Professional Ethics in Political Science, Second Edition, Revised, 1998; re-printed 2004. 
   
American Political Science Association, Human Subjects Research
   
American Psychological Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Codes of Conduct
    Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects
        See the Belmont Report
    Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)
                              FHSU's Graduate School policy is to follow the federal law, which can be found on OHRP's website at
                              http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm

                              OHRP
provides a list of when a research proposal might be eligible for expedited  review     
                             
http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/expedited98.htm

     Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Human Research Protection
                             Secretary's Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections
                                               
Information about obtaining and managing research grants or contracts

    FHSU Graduate School's Research and Grants
       Chapter One - Getting Started
       Chapter Two - Developing the Proposal
       Chapter Three - Preparing Parts of a Proposal
       Chapter Four - Preparing the Budget
          OMB Circular A-21 "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions"
          OMB Circular A-110 "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations"
          OMB Circular A-133 "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations"
       Chapter Five - Coordinating Grant Approvals and Submissions on Campus
       Chapter Six - Compliance With University, Regents, and State and Federal Regulations and Governmental Regulations
       Chapter Seven - Summary of University Policies for Seeking External Sources of Support from Federal and Other Agencies
       Chapter Eight - After Submission
       Chapter Nine - Grant Administration

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Revised 2-7-2008