In order to protect the rights, well being, and personal privacy of individuals, to assure a favorable climate for the conduct of scientific inquiry, and to protect the interests of the University of Washington, certain policies and procedures have been established for the conduct of research involving human subjects.

What forms are needed, when do you need to submit them and what is the process to be followed?
Your supervisory committee chair will let you know the appropriate time to file for UW Human Subjects approval. 

General information regarding Human Subjects

  1. Student investigator downloads files from UW Human Subjects Division (HSD) (contains Human Subjects Review Committee Application for UW 13-11, Certificate of Exemption, consent form samples, and instructions).
  2. Student investigator completes Human Subjects application and consent forms and submits them to supervisory committee chair for signature. (At this point the student has completed her/his proposal, obtained advisory committee's approving signatures, and has a copy of project or thesis proposal on file in the student's file in Graduate Program Advisor Office CP 326.)
  3. Student investigator submits completed and sponsor-signed Human Subjects application to the Program Director for signature.
  4. The application must be sent to the Seattle campus UW Human Subjects Review Committee. After the applicant receives approval, she/he submits two approved copies to the staff for filing.
  5. Data Collection and Analysis: Once Human Subjects approval has been obtained, you may begin data collection. It is necessary to have an approved application during the period of data analysis as well as data collection.

Additional information