Human Subjects Research at COSI
The Center for Science and Industry (COSI) and the Ohio State University (OSU) have entered into a partnership that facilitates OSU research and outreach at COSI in downtown Columbus.
Q: What types of research can be conducted at COSI ?
Behavioral and Social Sciences and Biomedical research projects, involving adults and children, may be appropriate for this setting.
Q. How is research conducted at this site?
This partnership gives OSU investigators, in a variety of disciplines, access to potential study volunteers in a community based setting. The OSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews proposals for research at COSI.
The role of the COSI staff is limited to informing visitors about research participation opportunities. Research records and study materials are not stored at COSI. The OSU Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for the overall conduct of the study including the need to inform COSI and the OSU IRB of any unanticipated or serious problems.
Q. How does an OSU faculty member or student get approval to conduct a project at COSI?
- Contact Dr. Kimberlee Kiehl, COSI Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer at kkiehl@mail.cosi.org or Rita Deedrick, Senior Director for Research and Evaluation at rdeedrick@mail.cosi.org to discuss your project.
- Obtain a COSI letter of support.
- Submit the letter of support along with the applicable human subject research approval forms to ORRP.
- For final COSI approval, provide Dr. Kiehl or Ms. Deedrick one of the following:
- OSU IRB approval letter;
- IRB Exemption; or
- ORRP staff determination that the project is not regulated research
Q. Does my project need IRB review or exemption?
For more information and examples of scholarly projects that are and are not subject to these requirements, see the OSU HRPP policy Research Involving Human Subjects.
If a project involves interactions with people or the use of personal information, is designed in advance, uses a systematic approach, and contributes to generalizable knowledge, the IRB regulations will apply.
Q. Where are the IRB forms and policies located?
Application forms are located at: http://orrp.osu.edu/irb/forms/
Policies and Procedures are located at: http://orrp.osu.edu/irb/osupolicies/
Q. Where can I get help?
Contact Michael Donovan, Senior Behavioral & Social Sciences IRB Protocol Analyst, at 614-292-6950; Donovan.6@osu.edu.
The IRB staff is happy to consult and to respond to any questions as you navigate the approval process. The staff would like to help you efficiently obtain all necessary approvals for your research.
