Policies & Protocols

Before conducting a study at the Communication Research Center, we request that all researchers review our Policies & Protocols. This document contains rules and guidelines concerning human subjects research in the CRC. Human subjects research is any form of research that involves bringing human participants into the CRC as part of a study. This includes experiments, focus groups, surveys, and interviews. Research participants are often Boston University students or staff members, but research may also be conducted with participants who are not BU-affiliated. 

It is each researcher’s individual responsibility to read through these policies and procedures and adhere to their guidelines for managing reservations, respecting the CRC’s facilities, technologies, and services, as well as treating participants with respect and professionalism. Researchers should bear in mind that BU students and staff are often invited to participate in multiple studies and that a negative experience with one study may seriously impact the respondent’s willingness to partake in later research. 

See below for an outline of what is covered in the CRC’s Policies & Protocols:

• STEP 1: Determine which review board 
• If IRB approval is needed 
• Experiments involving deception, physiological measurement, or sensitive topics (must go through BU IRB). Please refer to the Policies and Procedures for Working with Human Subjects document here.
• If RRB approval is needed
• RRB Application .
• CITI Human Subjects Research (HSR) Certificate .
• STEP 2: Complete these for all studies
  • SP26 – SONA Study Proposal.
  • Sample Consent Form. – The consent form must meet the criteria listed here.
  • Researcher Expectations SP2026.
• STEP 3: Once Study is Approved
• QReserve Instruction & CRC Resource Guide (Only if conducting IN-Person studies/ Focus Groups).
  
• SONA Research Resources:https://sites.bu.edu/crc/research-resources/SONA/
• QReserve Reservations:https://sites.bu.edu/crc/research-resources/reservations/
  
• STEP 4: Granting SONA Credit
• STEP 5: Cancelling SONA Participation

If you have questions about CRC facilities, technologies, and/or services, please refer to the CRC Resource Guide. If you have questions concerning the information detailed in this document, please contact the CRC Staff at crc_admin-l@bu.edu.