The ASU Institutional Review Board has implemented an IRB Wizard tool to streamline the IRB review process for studies that fall under one or more exempt categories. To determine if your study is eligible for a determination through the wizard, please review the criteria below.

Criteria:

  1. Unfunded research (i.e., studies that are NOT externally funded by federal agencies, industries, foundations, or local partners) – internally (ASU) funded research is eligible.
  2. NOT a clinical trial.
  3. Single-site study (IRB procedures conducted at ASU only and no external collaborators).
  4. Study is only conducted in the U.S. (i.e., no international research).
  5. Participants are adults (18 years or older) and NOT from a vulnerable population (i.e., non-military, non- Native American, and/or non-prisoner population).
  6. Data collection methods:
    1. For single component of data collection: surveys or interviews are acceptable.
    2. For multiple components of data collection: surveys and interviews are acceptable.
    3. Focus groups and interventions CANNOT go through the exempt wizard process.
  7. Researchers do not have a dual role (i.e., conduct research on participants that they supervise/oversee).
  8. Research does NOT involve sensitive topics related to drug/alcohol use, sexual behavior, mental health, criminal behavior, immigration status, or personal financial information.
  9. Research does NOT involve other information that could put participants at risk of criminal/civil liability.
  10. Research involves use of secondary human subjects data that are publicly available.

If you are unsure if your study meets the criteria above, you can reach out to [email protected] for clarification.

However, if you feel that your study meets these criteria, please complete the Wizard by accessing the following link: https://asu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Bqwe1XQExnn6qa

Once you have received a determination through the Wizard, please follow these steps:

  1. Download a copy of Wizard’s determination (e.g., This activity is not human subjects so 45 CFR part 46 does not apply) and the response ID (e.g., R_3ewUzgEYL7bzLty).
  2. Log into the Enterprise Research Administration site, click on the “IRB” tab, and create a new study.
  3. Fill out the basic study information and upload a copy of the IRB Wizard’s determination and response ID in lieu of the IRB protocol application under the “Attach the protocol” question. Do NOT upload any other application materials (e.g., recruitment, consent, or supporting documents).
  4. Only a full-time faculty/staff can serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) on the IRB submission. Students/Postdocs CANNOT serve as PIs. Once the submission is ready for review, the PI can submit to the ASU IRB for an official approval letter.

IMPORTANT:

  • These questions were developed by the Federal Demonstration Partnership.
  • The wizard should NOT be used for studies involving recruitment on Tribal Land and/or Native American participants.
    • These types of studies require a review in accordance with ABOR 118.
  • There are other cases in which the wizard may indicate the study is not eligible. In those cases, please submit directly in the ERA system.
  • For studies where ASU students, faculty, and/or staff will be recruited outside of the PI’s school/department/unit, you will need to reach out to [email protected] to determine if Provost Committee Review is required (as this is a separate process from ASU IRB review).
  • If you have questions about the determination, you can contact [email protected].
  • As you complete the wizard, provide honest responses, so the wizard has the most accurate information.

If you plan to make changes to your exempt wizard study, you must submit a new study for review. You may use the templates located here to get you started: https://researchcompliance.asu.edu/human-subjects/forms/