700-3-USU as a Minimal Risk Institution

Title: USU as a Minimal Risk Institution
Owner: IRB
Last Update/Revised: 05/01/2024

Policy: Given USU’s mission, the university is a minimal-risk institution regarding human subject research. Therefore, the university will not review or approve of any studies that pose greater than minimal risk. Minimal risk means that the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.

Thus, all projects and research proposed at USU must fall into one of the following categories:

  • Not Human Subject Research (see 700-13)
  • Exempt Research (see 700-21)
  • Expedited Research (see 700-22)

In order to encourage minimal-risk research, certain research activities are prohibited (see 700-14: Research Activities Not Permitted at USU).

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to clarify that USU is a minimal-risk institution and will not review or approve research that poses a greater than minimal risk.

Scope: This policy applies to all research reviewed by the IRB.

Documents and Forms:
None