What are the differences between exempt expedited and full board review catagories
The definitions of studies/projects that are exempt or eligible for expedited review per federal regulations can be confusing to anyone who is not trained as an IRB reviewer. The IRB application is designed to gather the information needed to determine the appropriate level of review for your study/project. Most IRB applications submitted by the Aspen University community are exempt, some are expedited, and very few require a full board review.
Neither you nor your chair or committee members have the authority to determine the review level; this is determined by the IRB.
The categories are covered in more detail in your CITI training and definitions can be found here:
Studies/projects that are not exempt or eligible for expedited review require a full board review and must be reviewed at a convened meeting of the IRB. Full board review usually involves research that is greater than minimal risk and/or vulnerable populations but also includes minimal risk research that does not meet criteria specified in the exempt/expediated categories. The good news is that you don’t classify the level of your study/project; just complete an IRB application under the guidance of your chair and the IRB will do the rest!
Regardless of the level of review, every IRB application is processed, and a letter is sent to the candidate when the IRB has reviewed and approved the study/project. As a reminder: absolutely no recruitment of participants, data access, data collection, or project/study implementation may occur prior to IRB approval.