Undergraduate Research Training Program
Welcome to the
Undergraduate Research Training Program (URTP) Portal
The URTP is a comprehensive platform to create better prepared undergraduate researchers. The URTP is comprised of research ethics training sessions, a student-focused curriculum, and an online decision form that will assist students in determining whether their project requires IRB review. Click URTP Flowchart (PDF) for an illustrated overview of the URTP process.
So you think you might want to conduct research with people? Here are some things to keep in mind.
You will need to:
- Identify a Research Supervisor
- Attend a Training
- Read the URTP Student Guide
- Use our URTP Decision Form
- Understand Data Security
Once you have met with your Research Supervisor, have a good idea of the research you are conducting, have taken training (either in person or online), and read through the Student Guide, you are ready to complete the URTP Decision Form! The URTP Decision Form is a Qualtrics survey which will guide you through the process of whether or not IRB review is required and indicate whether next steps are needed. For an idea of what questions you will be asked in this survey, see the URTP Decision Form Preview (PDF)
Be aware of our template documents, which may be helpful to you as you complete the Decision Form:
- The Student Application template may be used to describe the study that you plan to undertake. The document will guide you not only through the logistical aspects of study development but also inquire on study population, study location, and other potential risk aspects.
- The Student Information Sheet is a document that you can use with your study participants. It is modeled after the IRB informed consent template and contains information that is relevant to student research.
Whether your project needs IRB review or not, breach of confidentiality is a serious risk posed to participants. Rigorous data security is a key element of protecting subject data from an accidental or malicious breach. Data security includes:
- A plan to manage the physical and electronic documentation associated with the project, such as paper surveys, signed consent forms, or documents that contain contact information for subjects and
- Steps to ensure that those materials are not lost or accessed inadvertently by an unauthorized person.
The management of electronic data (on desktops or servers as well as on mobile devices such as laptops and flash drives) is increasingly important. See the Harvard University Research Data Security policy for information on how to protect your data, links to University resources, and more on your responsibilities as a researcher.
The Harvard IRB office, CUHS, offers advice and is also available to answer questions that you may have. Please contact us by email or phone using the information at the bottom of this page.