Issuing Office

The Graduate School

Affected Parties

All LU students/faculty/staff intending to conduct human subjects research

Policy Language

Participants under 18 years of age (including Liberty University students) may not participate in human subjects research without first obtaining parental permission (unless waived by the applicable IRB) and providing assent.

Before the IRB may waive the informed consent requirement for research subjects, the IRB must find and document that:

(1) The research involves no more than minimal risk to the subjects,

(2) The waiver or alteration will not adversely affect the rights and welfare of the subjects,

(3) The research could not practicably be carried out without the waiver or alteration, and

(4) Whenever appropriate, the subjects will be provided with additional pertinent information after participation.

The waiver conditions apply to all research subjects, not just minors.

Policy Rationale

To inform LU researchers of the regulations concerning the recruitment of minors in human subjects research projects.

Definition of Glossary Terms

None specified

Procedures

None specified

Sanctions

Failure to gain parental consent/qualify for a waiver and minor assent would be considered noncompliance and result of disapproval of a research study by LU’s IRB. It could also result in legal penalties for the researcher.

Exceptions

None

Date of Last Review

9/14/2020

Date for Review

9/14/2025