What are the two “tiers” of review used by the IRB at Ripon College?
Tier 1 Review is for research that in the professional judgment of the department involved entails no clear potential for harm to any of the human participants. Such research might involve classroom “research” used for demonstrative purposes; surveys that ask generic, non-controversial questions; etc. Although such projects need consideration, they can receive expedited review. In general, research in which the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in everyday life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests is subject to Tier 1 review. * Tier 2 Review is for procedures that could pose some imaginable danger to at least one human participant. Such studies might involve, for example, surveys or interviews that address potentially controversial topics (e.g., abortion), or laboratory experiments that bring participants in contact with electronic equipment. In general,
