As graduate students in this course, you will complete all of the assigned work for TWC443. In addition, I expect a higher level of participation from you in the discussion board and you will complete an additional assignment (either option 1 or 2 below). Please note that assignments for options 1 and 2 are due on Fridays.

Discussion Board Posts

As graduate students, your level of participation in discussion forums should be higher than that of the undergraduate students. You should take on a leadership role in posts by engaging with others and contributing posts that are more in-depth and show a higher level of understanding and engagement with the topic. The number of points will be the same as undergraduates; however, I will grade your posts based on expectations that your contributions are at a level consistent with your graduate standing.

Graduate Assignment, Option 1

For this option, you will submit an Institutional Review Board (http://researchintegrity.asu.edu/irb/) Human Subjects application for the funding proposal that you are completing for this course. This option is appropriate if you are submitting a proposal in which you are requesting funding to do research with humans (that includes interviews, surveys, observations, or any other research method that involves human involvement). In particular, if your funding agency is any branch or agency of the federal government and involves funding for research, you should select this option.

Graduate Assignment, Option 2

For this option, you will submit an additional funding proposal. If you are representing yourself in your proposal for the 443 assignment, you should find another opportunity in which you are writing on behalf of an organization. If you are writing on behalf of another organization for the 443 assignment, you should find an opportunity in which you will represent yourself for this assignment.

Due Dates (due dates are the same for either option)

Part 1 (5 pts, due Friday, February 6th)

Email to me your selection of option 1 or option 2. Explain why you have selected the option. If you have selected option 1, explain why completing an IRB application is necessary based on your planned project. If you have selected option 2, explain whether you will represent an organization or yourself (and how this proposal differs from your 443 proposal), what the funding agency will be, and a brief description of your proposed problem statement or topic.

Be sure to be in contact with me well in advance as you explore your options for the 443 and 543 assignments.

Part 2 (10 pts, due Friday, March 6th)

Submit to me via the drop box or as an email attachment.

If you have selected option 1, you should submit to me evidence that you have completed the NIH or CITI training; a draft of the application form.

If you have selected option 2, you should submit to me an analysis of the funding agency and a draft of your problem statement/goals and objectives. Use the assignment description for the 443 portion of the course to complete your analysis and draft.

Part 3 (10 pts, due Friday, April 3rd)

Submit to me via the drop box or as an email attachment.

If you have selected option 1, you should submit to me a nearly completed draft of your IRB application including drafts of any supporting material that is required (recruitment or consent letters, etc).

If you have selected option 2, you should submit to me a nearly completed draft of your entire proposal.

Part 4 (25 pts, due Friday, May 1st)

Submit to me via the drop box or as an email attachment your completed IRB application or proposal.