Protection of human participants in research requires submitting planned studies for review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The student-investigator prepares the application describing the study in lay language, establishing precautions for participant safety, and specifying procedures for recruitment, consent, data collection, and data management. The faculty member assists in negotiating the relationship with the IRB and supervising protocol development.

An example international study conducted by an undergraduate is presented in which issues in protection of human participants in the research were extensive. The project was divided into two phases to enhance feasibility. Full review for the international component required collaborating with an institution holding a federal-wide assurance (FWA). International co-investigators and collaborators completed online research training and administrative heads of the clinical agencies provided support letters for the project. It was necessary to provide for an advocate and community consultant, translate consents/assents, and identify the legally authorized representative for the participants who were children. Provision for follow-up of participants who demonstrated at-risk scores on measures was included in the protocol.

Approval required a full year, during which time the student worked with the WHO Collaborating Center at the UAB School of Nursing and the UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health to obtain permission and funding for international travel to conduct the project. In an era of growing interest in cross-cultural scholarship, such faculty roles are absolutely critical to the success of the research and the development of skills in global collaboration by students.