Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The primary purpose of the FHDA Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to protect the rights, welfare, and privacy of human subjects participating in research conducted within the district. The IRB ensures that research aligns with Federal Regulations: The "Common Rule" (45 CFR 46), State Laws: California laws regarding privacy and human experimentation and district policy: Board Policy 4180 (Research and Publications by Staff) and Board Policy 3121 (Standards of Ethical Conduct). 

The FHDA IRB is authorized by the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees to review, approve, require modifications to, or disapprove of all research activities involving human subjects conducted by district faculty, staff, students, or external researchers. 

Note: IRB approval is required before any data collection begins. Retroactive approval is not permitted under federal guidelines. IRB approval does not indicate the study is approved to continue. Final approval by the respective campus Offices of Institutional Research and Planning is required before the research can begin.  

Documents and Forms

Submit all documents to [email protected]

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Policies and Procedures Manual 

This manual provides an overview of requirements for principal investigators seeking IRB approval of a research study to be conducted within the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. If submitting an IRB request, please closely review the manual prior to submitting any forms listed below. 

Form A: Request for Exempt Status 

This form is for research that poses little to no risk to participants and falls into specific federal categories (like normal educational practices or anonymous surveys). The “Exempt” categories are outlined in the Federal Register.  

Form B: Application for Expedited Review

This form is for research that involves no more than minimal risk but involves data collection that goes beyond the "Exempt" category. It requires review by the IRB Chair or a designee, but not the full convened committee. The expedited review categories are outlined in the Federal Register.  

Form C: Policy on FHDA Class-Assigned Research Projects 

This form provides a policy on class-assigned research projects to help inform faculty and students planning a research project and seeking IRB approval.  

Form D: Instructor Review Form for Class Assigned Research Projects

This form is to be used by faculty to review and approve student research projects that are conducted solely for educational purposes within a course. These projects generally do not require full IRB review if they meet the criteria below. Projects that do not require full IRB review will not be published or presented publicly outside of the district.  

Form E: Classroom Project Consent Script  

To be used with class-assigned research projects that are exempt from IRB review based on the questions outline in Form C: Policy on FHDA Class-Assigned Research Projects.