How are IRB protocols reviewed?

IRB has three (3) review paths.  Your final approval time is contingent on the promptness of returned revisions.  All reviews are conducted within the Cayuse Human Ethics software, accessed in JNET.

Exempt Review

• This does not mean an IRB is not needed. It means you are required to do one, but the project qualifies as minimal risk and can be reviewed by a single reviewer via Cayuse. No Convened meeting is required.

Expedited Review

• This still is considered a minimal risk project and requires documentation of consent (signed consent forms). This can be reviewed by one experienced IRB member and can be reviewed via Cayuse. No Convened meeting is required. Note: The TAMU System does not allow digital signatures for documentation of consent.

Convened Review

• The TAMUK IRB reviews anything over minimal risk, projects that involve minors, and vulnerable populations as a Convened Review and the meeting of the Full IRB. These protocols must be reviewed at a Convened meeting where a quorum of IRB members can discuss the risks and benefits of the study and determine if it can be approved as is, if it can be approved with minor modifications, or if it needs to be tabled for later review after heavy revision, and finally, if the study simply cannot be approved.