Certain categories of human subjects research are considered such low-risk that they may be exempt from IRB review. For example, projects involving benign or anonymous surveys or normal classroom activities may be exempt. The Purchase College IRB will need to review your exemption request to determine whether your study meets the criteria for exemption.

Researchers conducting exempt research are exempt from the regulations but must adhere to the ethical principles in the Belmont Report:

• Respect for persons (e.g., informing subjects they are in a research study, describe what they are being asked to do, provide contact information, and tell them they can choose to participate or not, or refuse to answer any questions).
• Beneficence (minimize any harms including breach of confidentiality
• Justice (equitable selection of subjects)

Please review the definitions provided in Exempt Categories to determine whether you may submit an application for exemption.