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.
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.
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.
Cayuse User ID Request: https://forms.gle/SUUNkEmL2EE3AKEW7
USM Login: https://usm-maine.app.cayuse.com
Guest login: https://usm-maine.app.cayuse.com/guest
Request for Determination of Human Subject Research submission guide (pdf)
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
- Complete Faculty Led Student Classroom Project (Google Form)
- CV/Resume, Syllabus
- CITI training report
- You may schedule an ORIO staff member to present at the class usmorio@maine.edu
Individual Student Projects
- Human Subject Research Determination (Google Form)
- 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!