First Things First

1. Start thinking like a research subject
   Begin imagining what it would be like to be a subject of your research. When your protocol is reviewed the primary concern of the reviewer will be the experience of your subjects.
2. Read the Guides
   It will be easier to write your protocol if you have reviewed the guides for designing confidentiality procedures, writing consent forms and scripts, and preparing release forms. The guides contain sample language that you can draw from as appropriate.
3. Prepare a draft protocol as well as drafts of your consent forms and/or scripts and any release^* forms you need.
4. Meet with your faculty advisor.
   Before you submit a protocol to the Institutional Review Board (IRB^*), schedule a meeting with your advisor to go over the drafts you have prepared. Your advisor will help you fine tune the protocol.
5. Become certified to conduct research with human subjects at Duke. Both you and your advisor will need to be certified before your protocol can be approved.
   There are different requirements for summer research abroad and for research conducted during the academic year, such as senior honors theses and independent studies.