HRPP FAQ

Research involving human subjects may not proceed until written approval is received by the investigator from the IRB.  Investigators may submit a completed on-line IRB application through PURRS, including consent document(s) and all supporting documents.

Historically, Exempt and Expedited Requests for IRB Review have, on average, been processed within a month.

For research requiring review by the Full Board, investigators must submit an electronic copy to the IRB via the PURRS system no later than one month prior to the Board’s next convened meeting. The Board usually meets on the first Wednesday of the month during the academic calendar; summer meetings are scheduled if necessary.  Email paceirb@pace.edu to find out about the next board meeting.

If, after reviewing the HRPP Policies and Procedures document, you still have questions as to what the appropriate level of review should be for your project or activity, ask the IRB Administrator by emailing paceirb@pace.edu.

Note: Only the IRB can determine the level of review.  Any project or activity involving human subject research requires IRB review.

Yes.  A current CITI certificate in human subjects research training is required for all study personnel including Principal Investigators (PIs), Co-Investigators (Co-Is), Faculty Advisor(s), and additional personnel engaged in human subjects research.  CITI Program training must be completed prior to IRB review.  If you have not completed this requirement at the time you submit, the processing of your application will be delayed.

• Log in to CITI Program.
• Step-by-step instructions on how to register and complete the required CITI Program IRB training.

What if my questions were not answered here?

If you have questions that were not addressed in these FAQ or need further clarification on a topic please contact the Pace IRB at paceirb@pace.edu.

Yes. PURRS works with any modern browser, like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Internet Explorer is incompatible with PURRS.

If you are a Pace faculty, student, or staff member, you will click the link in the middle of the page and use your SSO (Single Sign-On) log-in credentials. If you have issues with your SSO credentials, please contact Pace Help Desk - Pace University or call (914) 773-333.

If you do not have a Pace email address, please contact paceirb@pace.edu to enable a log-in. Please allow 24-48 hours for your account to be created. You will be notified via email when the account is activated.

To begin your application, click on “Click here to start an Initial Application.” The application will open in a new browser tab. (You can also click on “Start xForm.” If you do, a new tab will also open).

The application will open an Application, with the following instructions at the top of the page:

“All questions on this form must be answered before the form is submitted for signature. Please contact the IRB at paceirb@pace.edu with any questions. Navigation using the 'Next' button will check that all questions have been answered. Navigation using the drop-down menu at the top center will allow navigation to another page even if some questions have not been answered.”

ATTENTION: A current CITI certificate in human subjects research training is required for all personnel including Principal Investigators (PIs), Co-Investigators (Co-Is), Faculty Advisor(s), and additional personnel involved in human subjects research. CITI training must be completed prior to IRB review. If you have not completed this requirement at the time you submit, the processing of your application will be delayed. Log in to the CITI Program to complete your training. Step-by-step instructions on how to register and complete the required IRB training are here.

To navigate between pages/sections of the application, use the drop down menu at the top of the page. Use this feature instead of the “Next” button to move to the following page when you have not answered all of the required fields. If you click “Next” before answering the required questions, it will highlight missing fields. Please note that additional pages may appear as you answer questions.

You may save the application at any time using the “Save for Later” button at the bottom of the page and return to the form at your convenience. The application cannot be submitted until all required questions are answered and accompanying documents are attached.

Additional information and clarification is provided for some questions either directly to the right of the question, or displayed when hovering over questions with your mouse. (Note: not all questions have additional information).

If you are trying to add study personnel and their email is not showing up, they have not logged into the PURRS system. Please contact the individual and ask them to log in to PURRS. Non-Pace personnel cannot be added to the application. Please contact IRB Staff (at PaceIRB@pace.edu) if you want to add non-Pace personnel to your study.

Yes, all student research, undergraduate and graduate, must be overseen by a faculty member.

The application has smart questions that generate other questions and pages. Go back to the first page of the application and review your answers, you have likely checked a box for a vulnerable population or other circumstance that generated the addendum.

No, all types of files can be added. If you have audio or visual files in addition to standard .pdf or word docs, you can attach them as well.

Once you have filled out the form completely, it must be electronically signed before submitting. Please make sure to read and understand the entire section of Investigator Assurances and Acknowledgements before signing. Researchers and research personnel will be held accountable for these items.

To sign the form, enter your password in the provided box. This will be the same password as the SSO credentials you used to log in to PURRS.

If this is the first time you have signed an application, a window will pop-up asking for your login credentials again. Enter your credentials and hit enter. If you have signed an application before, simply enter your password in the box.

Sometimes, due to browser updates or pop-up blockers, the signature window will not open. Allow pop-ups for the site. If it still will not work, open the application in another browser.

Once your form has been successfully submitted, you will see the message "Your form has been submitted. You may close this window." This will be the only notification you receive that your project was submitted. You can then close the window and either exit PURRS or continue working on other forms.

Yes. Once you are logged in, you can see your "dashboard." This is where you will start applications and check on their progress or status. Clicking the “Home” button on any page will bring you back to your dashboard.

You can change how your dashboard looks. It has two views options: "Bubble Dashboard" and "Power Dashboard." It also has a "Dark Mode" option.

• To switch from the Bubble to Power Dashboard, go to the icon in the upper right and select "Use Power Dashboard;"
• To switch from the Power to Bubble Dashboard, go to “Actions” listed on the upper left side and select “Use Bubble Dashboard.” You can also switch back and forth at any time between these two views by going to "Settings" at the top right-hand side of the page and selecting "Switch Dashboard;"
• The "Dark Mode" option can also be switched on and off from your "Settings."