Researcher Guidelines

To use the resources provided by the IBRC, you will need to review the guidelines below.

 

Reach out to one of the IBRC staff when you are in the process of filling out your IRB. We will ensure whether your study is appropriate for our community participant pool and provide you with feedback on the specific text to include in your IRB. We can also begin the process of reserving space and equipment for your study.

The studies typically run at the IBRC:

 

  1. Are related to social and behavioral research
  2. Are able to pay participants $12-14/hour in the form of cash or gift cards
  3. Involve only minimal risk (e.g., surveys, behavioral tasks). Studies that involve more medical procedures (like fMRIs) are typically not suited for our participant pool.
  4. Involve limited pre-screening and exclusion criteria
Please also note that for use of our community participant pool, you must be able to run your study using the lab space at the IBRC or online using Behavioral Research SONA Systems. Some exceptions can be made but must be first approved by the IBRC Director.

 

Studies run at the Interdisciplinary Behavioral Research Center must be IRB-approved prior to running of study sessions. This means researchers must have received an approval email either from the Duke Campus IRB office or from the DUHS IRB office. Please review your respective IRB office’s website to ensure you have all of the materials and forms necessary for IRB approval.

  1. Read the Guidelines for Facilities and Resources. Learn our most basic policies and procedures.
  2. Forward a copy of your approved IRB Protocol and IRB Approval email to the research coordinator.
  3. If you are interested in utilizing additional IBRC resources please let us know at this time (e.g. IBRC mini-grant funds, the Duke Behavioral Research participant pool, laptops, etc.)
  4. Complete this brief Pre-Study Form. When your study is finished, you will be asked to fill out a Post-Study Form.
5. Tour the lab at least two weeks before your study is scheduled to begin. Schedule a time with us to tour the lab.
6. Create your study on Sona. If you do not already have a researcher account, contact Amanda Bernal to create one. This account will allow you to create your study, set prescreen restrictions, add timeslots, and recruit participants.

7. Make sure that all research assistants have the proper training. As required by Duke all researchers must complete the  CITI training: History and Ethical PrinciplesSee the Duke Office of Research Support website for more information. All undergraduate research assistants at the IBRC must complete this brief IBRC Research Assistant Training module

8. Reserve your room(s) at least one week in advance. To schedule rooms please contact ab963@duke.edu.
9. Create your timeslots on Sona. 
10. If you have been approved for an IBRC Mini-Grant, request funds at this time. Before your first participants come in, please contact Amanda Bernal to request funds from your approved grant. Requests should be made at least 24-48 hours in advance.