BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY 
Institutional Review Board  Proposal Submission Form (Approved 1/98) 

Name __________________ ________ E-mail __________________________Phone: ________________
 School Arts and Science Department Computer Science Home Address: _________________________ Thesis/Dissertation Chair _______________( If this is a student candidate's proposal) Start Date:       _______________ End Date:  ___________________   Sponsor's Name: __________________Project title: (If this protocol applies to several sponsored projects, provide all different titles) 
1	
2	
3	After completing the above section, please respond to questions 1 through 15 on this form. If the proposed research is EXEMPT from IRB review, please indicate the appropriate category number (1-6) from the Exemption Reasons attached. Indicate category # 1_ 

Please allow 2-4 weeks for the IRB review process to be completed prior to the submission of the proposal to the sponsor; or if it is not a sponsored project, before the start date of the research. 
1. 	Please provide a precise description of how human subjects will be involved in the research including a clear description of all activities and responsibilities of the subjects 
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. 
2. 	What is the pool of subjects? Will there be any minors (under the age of eighteen)? 
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. 
3. 	How many subjects to be recruited? 
No subjects were recruited for the research. 
4. 	Describe the risk of the subjects? Could the research be done without using humans?  
The research will be done without human subjects. There is no risk to humans. 
5. 	How will the subjects be informed that they do not have to participate in the study, and may withdraw at any time with no penalty?  
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. There is no need to contact any human subject. 
6. In what way have the confidentiality and privacy of the subjects' responses been ensured? 
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. 
7. Is there deception to the human subjects? If yes, what debriefing procedures have been arranged?  
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. 
8. If the procedures are physically invasive or potentially harmful, describe arrangements made for medical referral.  
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. 
9. It the procedures could be emotionally upsetting, describe arrangements made for psychological counseling. 
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. 
10. What provisions have been made for the cultural and language problems, it they arise? 
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects. 
11. Has consent been obtained from the authorities where the research is to be conducted? 
The research will be on data from online databases designed for research in NASA's Missions and Research area. No authorities needed to be contacted.  
12. Include a copy of the written informed consent form with the proposal. If it is not possible to obtain a written consent form, describe how an understandable explanation will be given to the subjects. 
Research does not involve direct contact with human subjects; therefore no consent is needed for the research. 
13. Attach a copy of a positive parental consent if the subjects are minors.  
Research does not involve direct contact with human or minor subjects. 
14. lf a surveyor questionnaire is used, please include copies and describe the exact nature of the questions to be asked. 
No survey or questionnaire is used for the research.  
15. lf a student candidate is to conduct the research, submit a statement from the faculty advisor, 
indicating:   The faculty member's approval of the project   The faculty member's willingness to supervise the research   An indication that the student candidate is competent to conduct the research 
Submit 3 hard copies each of the Proposal Submission Form, the questionnaire (instrument) or survey (if used), consent forms, and statement of support from the faculty advisor (when it's a student candidate's proposal) to : 
Dr. Cosmas U. Nwokeafor, Chair IRB  Center for Business & Graduation Studies  Suite 1312 301-860-3406 (off) 301-860-3414 (fax) cnwokeafor@bowiestate.edu  
Exemption Reasons 
1.	 Research that does not involve direct contact with human subjects such as interviews, surveys, etc.  
2.	 Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement) survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public behavior, unless: (i) information obtained is recorded in such a manner that human subjects can be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects; and (ii) any disclosure of the human subjects' responses outside the research could reasonably place the subjects at the risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects' financial standing, employability, or reputation.  
3.	 Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, or observation of public behavior that is not exempt under paragraph (2) if (i) the human subjects are elected or appointed public officials or candidates for public office; or (ii) the research is conducted for the Department of Justice under the Federal stature 42 U.S.C. 3789g, or for the National Center for Education Statistics under Federal statute 20 U.S.C. 1221 e-1, which provide certain legal protections and requirements for confidentiality.  
4.	 Research involving the collection of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are publicly available or if the information is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that subjects cannot be identified directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects. 
5.	 Research and demonstration projects which are conducted by or subject to the approval of department or agency heads and which are designed to study, evaluate or otherwise examine (i) public benefit or service programs; (ii) procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs; (iii) possible changes in or alternatives to those programs or procedures; or (iv) possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs. 
6.	 Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies, if wholes wholesome foods without additives are consumed or (ii) if a food is consumed that contains a food ingredient at or below the level and for a use found to be safe, or agricultural, chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the level found to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

6. NOTE: If the application is to be reviewed by the Institutional Review Board as exempt, one copy is sufficient. Complete the Proposal Submission Form and include the consent form.