The University of Southern Maine (USM) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) ensures the protection of the rights and welfare of persons participating in human subject research conducted at or affiliated with USM.
Click here to book a Zoom appointment with the ORIO Team.
The University of Southern Maine has applied to the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Program (AAHRPP) accreditation. AAHRPP is an international, independent nonprofit organization that reviews and accredits an institution’s human research protections program (HRPP).
All research involving human subjects conducted by any employee or agent of USM (faculty, staff, students, external, etc.) must receive IRB review and approval prior to implementation.
How to submit a Request for Determination of Human Subject Research in Cayuse
The determination of whether a research study is human subjects research is made by an institution’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) or IRB office. At USM the determination request is made through the online system, Cayuse.
Note: Submissions for Human Subject Research determination are not required to complete a human subject research training; however, if it is determined that the submission is human subject research, then the training will be required.
Step 1: Cayuse User ID Request: https://forms.gle/SUUNkEmL2EE3AKEW7
It takes 24 hours to sync the new user to Cayuse.
Step 2: Log into Cayuse
- USM Login: https://usm-maine.app.cayuse.com
- You will receive an email from ORIO within 24 hours after staff has set up the profile. This gives time for the systems to sync.
- Guest login: https://usm-maine.app.cayuse.com/guest
- You will receive an email with a temporary password when ORIO staff have set up the profile.
Step 3: Create a Request for Determination of Human Subject Research in Cayuse using the links below for guidance:
-Download Optional Cayuse Determination practice sheet in MS Word (docx)
-If needed Guidance and resources consent templates and guidance documents
–Create a Request for Determination of Human Subject Research (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse
–Complete Submission and Certification Routing (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse. Each Principal Investigator (PI)/Faculty Advisor certifies submissions, as well as, when responding to any questions/comments by the HRPP reviewer. Persons who are not PIs may be assigned to other areas of Personnel and do not certify submissions.
Step 4: HRPP reviews the information in the form and may request additional details. You will receive an email with an official determination from HRPP through Cayuse.
–Replying to Reviewer Comments (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse
–Find Documents After Approval (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse
If you have questions or issues, please contact ORIO, most efficiently through email usmorio@maine.edu. We can set up a Zoom meeting to walk you through any questions and difficulties as well.
The University of Southern Maine (USM) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) ensures the protection of the rights and welfare of persons participating in human subject research conducted at or affiliated with USM.
This section summarizes key elements of USM’s IRB policies and procedures with which you should be familiar for your interview. The source of this information are the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) standard operating procedures.
Before and After participation This page has links to useful short videos to prepare for participation in research.
Post approval monitoring: After participating in research approved by the USM IRB, there is a 3 question anonymous survey regarding their experience as a research participant:
1) Was research staff friendly and courteous?
2) Please provide what you remember of the who conducted the research, what institution conducted the research, what the research was for, and why where they conducting the research.
3) Were you provided the opportunity to give feedback to the research team on your experience?
Human Subject Research Protection Program (HRPP) Student Classroom Research Projects are conducted during or outside of class with students enrolled in an official course (for credit or not for credit), as well as activities in fulfillment of class assignments involving interactions with individuals other than the members of the class. These assignments are typically initiated and completed within a course. Faculty members may design assignments that engage students in interaction with individuals or data about individuals to teach research methods or to help students understand concepts covered by the course.
The projects are not intended to create new knowledge or to lead to scholarly publication or presentation. Individual project submissions are intended for IRB submission experience.
Faculty Preparation
- Step 1: Cayuse User ID Request: https://forms.gle/SUUNkEmL2EE3AKEW7
It takes 24 hours to sync the new user to Cayuse. - Step 2: Log into Cayuse
- USM single-sign-on, be logged into MyUSM, use a different tab in the same browser.
- USM Login: https://usm-maine.cayuse.com/rs/irb#dashboard
- Step 3: Create a Request for Determination of Human Subject Research in Cayuse using the links below for guidance:
- –Download Cayuse Determination practice sheet in MS Word (docx) (optional)
- Create a Request for Determination of Human Subject Research (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse
- Attach Resume/CV of faculty member, CITI training, and course syllabus.
- Complete Submission and Certification Routing (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse. Each Principal Investigator (PI)/Faculty Advisor certifies submissions, as well as, when responding to any questions/comments by the HRPP reviewer. Persons who are not PIs may be assigned to other areas of Personnel and do not certify submissions.
- Step 4: HRPP reviews the information in the form and may request additional details. You will receive an email with an official determination from HRPP through Cayuse.
- Replying to Reviewer Comments (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse
- Find Documents After Approval (pdf) visual guide of Cayuse
- You may schedule an ORIO staff member to present at the class usmorio@maine.edu
Click here to book a Zoom appointment with the ORIO Team.
Individual Student Projects
- Human Subject Research Determination
- Although not required for non-research, CITI training is recommended
- Introduction script and recruitment materials
- Data collection materials ie. survey or interview questions
- Consent language/form – Guidance
- Written permission to conduct research at a location external to USM
Approval is needed prior to starting data collection!
- Guidance and Resources
- Policy: HRPP 001 Student Classroom Projects (pdf)
- The Role and Responsibilities of the Faculty Advisor (pdf)
- For School-based activities where class time is used, there should be an equal opportunity for non-participants to earn a benefit, such as extra credit, comparable to those participating.
Participant-Centered Informed Consent training
The Federal Office for Research Protections also offers a course on Participant-Centered Informed Consent training.