HSCL FAQs

What do I need to submit to HSCL for my human subjects research?

• HSCL application
• Consent form(s) for participants
• All subsequent documents relating to the study (e.g., questionnaires, interview question guideline, recruitment letters, fliers, HIPAA documentation if applicable).

Does HSCL accept electronic submissions?

Yes. Electronic submissions are the preferred submission process though you may choose to submit application documents via campus mail or U.S. mail, or drop the application documents off at the HSCL office.

Note: Please do not send in duplicate copies of the application documents (e.g., submit one electronically as well as one in the mail).

I am a student at KU. What approval do I need for a HSCL application submission and approval?

HSCL student projects require supervisory approval (e.g., a professor working with you on your research project). However, we do accept electronic applications, thus your supervisor may forward your application documents to HSCL via email with his/her note approval.

• On the HSCL application, list yourself as the PI for the project.
• List your faculty supervisor as the supervisor responsible for the project.

I am a staff member at KU and I would like to submit an application for human subjects research. What approval do I need for a HSCL application submission and approval?

In order to be designated as the responsible member on a HSCL project, you must first have KU principal investigator (PI) status. This is the person ultimately responsible for the scope, fiscal affairs, and administration of a project. You must either (1) obtain approval for project-specific or special PI status or (2) another individual with PI status must approve the research and agree to be the responsible member for the project.

Faculty and academic staff on the Lawrence campus who have one or more of the official job titles listed below automatically attain PI status, effective with their written acceptance of appointment.

Professor	Librarian III	Senior Scientist	Senior Curator	Senior Specialist	Research Professor
Associate Professor	Librarian II	Associate Scientist	Associate Curator	Associate Specialist	Associate Research Professor
Assistant Professor	Librarian I	Assistant Scientist	Assistant Curator	Assistant Specialist	Assistant Research Professor
		Junior Scientist	Junior Curator	Junior Specialist

What should I do to assure HSCL tutorial certification?

• Submit your information at the end of the tutorial and click “submit” so it will upload in the database
• Print a copy of your certification

When is a full board review required?

A full board review is required when a project involves:

• Children (in a non-educational activity)
• Pregnant women
• Incarcerated Individuals
• Cognitively impaired individuals
• Deception

What is the deadline for HSCL projects that must be discussed at a board meeting?

Board meetings are held the first Thursday of every month. Projects that must be discussed at the next month’s board meeting must come in on or before the 15th of each month. For example, a complete application must be submitted on or before January 15th in order to be discussed at the February board meeting.

Please note: Not all full board review projects must be discussed at the monthly board meetings.

What is the review process for Expedited and Full Board Review Projects?

The length of approval depends on what changes, if any, are required to your project.

Expedited reviews are handled within the HSCL administrative office and take a week to process.

If your project includes vulnerable populations (i.e., children, prisoners, cognitively impaired individuals) or deception, it would require a review by the full board review. Board members have 2 weeks to turn in their reviews once the application is received and sent to them. After the reviews are in you will again be notified of the type of review your project receives and if there are changes to be made prior to approval. If there are serious concerns regarding the project it must be discussed at the upcoming board meeting which takes place the first Thursday of every month.

Please note: Regardless of the type of review, you should hear back from the HSCL office within a week regarding the status of your application.

What are common contingency item concerns for HSCL projects?

• Inconsistent information between documents
• Missing information within the application or consent form(s)
• Missing documents
• Tutorial completion & certification
• PI status approval

Questions? Please contact:
David Hann
785-864-7429 | dhann@ku.edu
Coordinator | Human Subjects Committee of Lawrence (HSCL)

— or —

Mary Denning
785-864-7385 | mdenning@ku.edu
Associate Coordinator |Human Subjects Committee of Lawrence (HSCL)