Danger! Danger!

Rules to Keep in Mind while Doing Research

You’ve chosen your research project, and you’re already setting up the cages for the lab mice you need or drafting the questions for your control group of students versus your test group.

However, there are certain forms to be filled out and guidelines to be followed if you’re going to use live subjects in any way.

Human Polling

If you are surveying a significant portion of the student or faculty body, or if you are doing any surveys in the name of WCU, the survey falls under WCU Policy #51 and must be accepted by the proper authorities.

See http://www.wcu.edu/chancellor/index/universitypolicy/policy51.html

Human Studies

In many cases, your procedures must go to the Institutional Research Review Board before you can begin taking data. Some examples include:

-If you’re performing a study in which human volunteers undertake more than minimal risk

-If you’re collecting any bodily samples of hair, fluid, etc. from the volunteers

-If you’re recording human voices 

-If you’re requesting that the volunteers perform moderate physical exercises

-If you’re researching the effects of any drug or chemical on human bodies.

For a complete list, see  http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/checklists/decisioncharts.html.

To find out any additional information about the procedures involving human subjects at WCU, see http://www.wcu.edu/6801.asp.

Additional Projects

If your project involves animal testing, the use of recombinant DNA, the use of radioactive materials, or any other potentially dangerous substances, see http://www.wcu.edu/6797.asp for more information.

For more information, contact:  WCU Research Administration, 828.227-7212