Global Research Process

The following 15 step process is REQUIRED of all students to participate on IGL-sponsored research trips, whether through EPIIC, any of the IGL programs, or independently. Please read through all of the steps.  Click here for to download the pdf (33 KB)

Step 1: Identify your topic.   Prepare a one-page overview and an annotated bibliography (minimum 10 sources).  Submit this to Heather.

Stop: Discuss your topic with Heather

Step 2: Prepare a research proposal

  • 3 page discussion of topic
  • Budget, including personal contribution
  • List of potential contacts/organizations
  • Tentative itinerary
  • Sample interview questions
  • A copy of the U.S. Department of State circular for proposed country :: State Department Website
  • Submit to Sherman and Heather

Stop: Get proposal approved by Sherman or Heather

Step 3: Security Briefing

The IGL is now working with Andrew Kain, founder of AKE -- a client-focused risk mitigation company.  Kain is a former Special Air Service soldier for the UK who has developed battlefield-training courses for journalists about to go out on their first assignments in regions of conflict.  He was recommended to the Institute by photojournalist Gary Knight.  He will provide a general security briefing for all those planning to conduct research abroad (time and place tbd).  

Step 4: Pre-IRB Proposal

As part of the IRB process, student research projects from the IGL (including from EXPOSURE) will be reviewed to determine if students need to submit a proposal to the IRB.  Everyone conducting research through the IGL must submit this form within the annual deadlines.  The form can be downloaded here.  Form must be submitted to Heather by stated dates in the Fall Semester for research over the winter intersession and in the Spring Semester for research over the summer.

Dates for 2011-2012: Fall, proposals due by November 7; Spring, proposals due by April 7

Depending on the response from the committee, if you need to submit to the IRB see step 5, if you do not need to submit skip to Step 7.

Step 5: The IRB :: Institutional Review Board Website The IRB (Institutional Review Board) is a panel of Tufts’ faculty and staff, as well as at least one individual, that reviews all human subject research proposals to determine if they are assuring adequate protection of human participants. The composition and authority of this committee is established by the Code of Federal Regulations. Failure to obtain IRB approval or an exemption prior to beginning human subject research is considered noncompliance.

  • Prepare IRB proposal :: Download IRB protocol checklist and all necessary forms at: http://www.tufts.edu/central/research/IRB/forms.htm (please note, do not use anyone's old forms, the forms are all new)
  • Additional required forms include:
    • Consent form (if you are interviewing people who do not speak English, the form also needs to be prepared in the language they will be interviewed in)
    • Sample questions for the different types of people you plan to interview
  • Sample proposals
  • Complete the online tutorial and print out/download the completion certificate - this will need to be turned into the IRB to demonstrate completion of the tutorial (the tutorial is more focused on medical/health issues in some areas but all of it is required to be completed): Online tutorial

Stop: Obtain approval of IRB proposal from Yvonne and then Heather before submission

Step 6: Submit IRB Proposal

  • The proposal should be submitted to the IRB at least two weeks before the IRB meeting :: IRB Meeting Calendar

Step 7: Provide Contacts to Heather

  • List of confirmed contacts (with attached email correspondence) -- In the US and in the proposed travel region(s)
  • List of potential contacts (with initial correspondence) -- In the US and in the proposed travel region(s)

Step 8: Provide a Final Budget

  • Provide final budget with funding sources

Step 9: Visas and Vaccines

  • Do you need a visa for where you are traveling or for any countries that you are transiting through? :: US State Department visa information
    • If yes, provide paperwork that shows your application for the visa or that you can get one at the arrival airport
  • Do you need any vaccines for where you are traveling? :: CDC vaccine information
    • If yes, provide documentation for the vaccines that are required, that you have received or that you are scheduled to receive

Step 10: Contract and Permission to participate on an IGL-supported trip -- these must be filled out for you to receive your funding

Step 11: Provide Final Itinerary

  • Prepare final itinerary for the research trip including scheduled meetings
  • Prepare your contact information for research trip

Step 12: International SOS

  • Go to www.internationalsos.com and login (call 617-627-3314 to get the login information for Tufts)
  • Print a card to carry that has the info on the Tufts Membership

Step 13: Submit Final Research Proposal

  • 20 page literature review on topic
  • Budget
  • Itinerary and contact information while traveling
  • List of contacts with short biographies (or descriptions if it is an organization)
  • IRB approval
  • Signed research abroad contract
  • IGL-Tufts Release Form
  • Visa and vaccine information
  • Parent emergency contact information

Stop: Get final approval

Step 14: Submit a Request for Sponsorship Form (pdf 52 KB)(filled out by you and signed by Sherman or Heather) and one of the following forms:

Step 15: Complete final paper or project within one month of the end of your research

Step 16: Prepare an audio slide show that can be uploaded to the IGL site (work with IGL Multimedia Coordinator to prepare) -- you will need to submit a script prior to recording it and then the audio of the script, a title for the research, a short bio of yourself with a photo while on the research trip, a short intro paragraph, and the photos in the desired order -- this is due one month after your research trip

Step 17: Presentation of research trip at the Tufts Undergraduate Research Symposium in March