Guidelines for Humanities Distinction projects involving human participants

If a proposed project involves human participants, it is the obligation of the student and his or her mentor(s) to determine whether the work constitutes research on human subjects and therefore requires Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. If there is any uncertainty about whether a project constitutes research on human subjects, the student/mentor(s) should contact the IRB for clarification and guidance. The IRB provides information about human subjects research determinations at the following website: https://hso.research.uiowa.edu/.

If a student and his or her mentor(s) conclude that a project involving human participants does not constitute research on human subjects, the student/mentor(s) must ensure that personally identifying information, in any form, is treated appropriately. If a project involves collecting oral or written narratives, photographs, or any other materials that contain personally identifying information, students/mentors should secure signed informed consent from participants following procedures consistent with editorial standards practiced by respected journals. Illustrative consent forms at such journals include the following:

Note: It is important that the informed consent process, and signed documentation, clarify the ways in which a participant's personally identifiable information might be used (e.g., professional or public presentations, professional or public exhibitions, print or web publications, etc.). It is also important that participants have the opportunity to read or review materials that contain their identifiable information prior to any submission for publication, actual publication, or display. Accordingly, students/mentors will be expected to use a two-step process entailing:

  1. an initial process of permission that is documented at the time of participation, and
  2. a subsequent process of permission that is documented after the final product has been reviewed by the participant.

It is the obligation of the students/mentors to maintain copies of signed documents for a reasonable period of time after the work is complete (e.g., for at least 5 years).