Does Your Survey Research Require IRB Review?

Not all survey research will require IRB review. For example, a survey/interview designed to collect information about organizations or governments may not require IRB review. These tools can help researchers determine whether their survey study requires IRB review and approval:

Video [HTML]

Guide [PDF]

For an official determination of whether survey research requires IRB review or approval, please complete the ORI Not Human Research Form [HTML]. Only the IRB can determine whether a survey research protocol requires IRB review and approval.

IRB Review Types

Minimal-risk surveys are usually eligible for either Exempt or Expedited IRB Review. Many surveys with adults are eligible for Exempt IRB Review. Minimal-risk surveys that include children should be submitted for Expedited review. See Additional Resources for guidance on school-based surveys.

Typically, Full Board IRB review would only be required if the research is greater than minimal risk. Some examples include surveys that carry substantial financial, professional, or personal risks, and surveys on sensitive topics with substantial risks to mental or emotional health.

To help determine which review type best fits your survey study, see the tools on the IRB Review Types webpage [HTML], which include an Exemption Tool [PDF] and an Interactive Exempt Review Decision Tool [HTML].

Informed Consent for Survey Research

The Anonymous Survey Consent Template and the Identifiable Survey Consent Template can be used to obtain informed consent for in-person or online surveys, questionnaires, or interviews. They can also be edited to include a signature line if needed. These templates can help you ensure all the required elements of informed consent are in your form.

Anonymous Survey Consent Template
For survey researchers who will not be collecting any identifiable information from participants. [WORD]
 

Identifiable Survey Consent Template
For survey research that will be collecting identifiable information from participants even if it’s just for payment purposes. [WORD] 

Additional informed consent tools for survey research are available on the Informed Consent for Survey Research webpage. [HTML]

Survey Recruitment & Data Collection Instruments

All participant-facing documents used in survey research should be attached to the protocol application for IRB review. This includes:

• Survey Invitation, Survey Informed Consent, Pre-Screening Questionnaires, Interview Script, & Advertising: If separate correspondence or promotional material will be used to recruit survey research participants, upload it as an advertising document type in the Research Description section of a protocol application under, “Subject Recruitment Method & Advertising.” These include documents such as flyers or posters or email invitations to potential participants.
• Data Collection Instrument(s): If the research includes survey or interview procedures, the questionnaire, interview guides or assessment scales should be included in the protocol application. These materials can be uploaded as a data collection document type in the Research Description section of a protocol application under “Data Collection & Research Materials.”
  
  Data collection instruments can be submitted with your application in draft form with the understanding that the final copy will be submitted to the IRB for approval prior to use. Researchers should submit the final version to the IRB as a modification request if the study was originally approved with a draft version.

NOTE: Print and media advertisements presented to the public require review by Public Relations Review (PRR) | UK Center for Clinical and Translation Science (uky.edu) [HTML] to ensure compliance with UK graphic standards, and equal opportunity language.

Strategies for Preventing & Identifying Online Survey Fraud

Survey Platforms

Regardless of the chosen platform, the IRB will want to ensure the researcher is utilizing the available privacy features to protect the confidentiality of research participants.

University of Kentucky researchers have several survey platforms to choose from when developing their surveys or questionnaires.

Preferred Survey Platforms

• Qualtrics [HTML] is available to the University of Kentucky community.
• The Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences(CCTS) administers REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) [HTML] for the University of Kentucky. REDCap is a web-based application designed by Vanderbilt University with tools for survey-building and researcher data capture. Users can create an account and register for training events on the CCTS website.
• UK survey researchers can access the SONA [HTML] subject pool for their survey research. Instructions for creating an online internal survey or adding a Qualtrics survey are located on the Department of Psychology website.

Additional Survey Platforms

Additional platforms like Survey Monkey have not been veted by the institution. Survey researchers should familiarize themselves with the Terms of Use and Privacy statements of their third-party survey platform. When reviewing a protocol application, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) looks for statements that evidence the researcher is aware of the Terms of Use and Privacy Statements which limit protections or result to ensure they are described in informed consent.

Additionally, survey researchers should consider the cost of using a third-party survey platform when planning their research budget. Unlike the preferred survey platforms available to University of Kentucky survey researchers, third-party platforms may include fees.

Additional Resources