Request to Conduct Research Study

All requests for conducting educational research must be filed with the Department of Academic Effectiveness & Assessment through the submission of a signed Application for Research Study along with the following:

1. Signed Access to Confidential Information agreement;
2. Copy of the research proposal;
3. Copies of any consent forms;
4. Copies of any assessment instruments (tests, surveys, questionnaires, or interview scripts);
5. Copy of the Institutional Research Board (IRB) application, if any, submitted to another institution; and
6. Copy of the IRB approval letter, if applicable.

In addition to the preceding information and documentation, the Research Review Committee may also request the submission of evidence of participation in a human participant training course, and/or may require additional training in the area of conducting research involving human subjects.

The Research Review Committee will convene to assess completed application packets (signed by both the applicant(s) and the research sponsor) and will determine whether the application will be approved or denied based on the level of risk to participants and the best interests of the college. Research shall not violate any state or federal law pertaining to the protection of privacy and present only a minimal risk to participants.

Minimal risk is defined as the “probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests,” according to the Code of Federal Regulations, 45 CFR 46.102 (i).

The Chair of the Research Review Committee (or designee) will notify the applicant(s) of the approval or rejection of the application. At any time, if further participation in the project is considered to be not in the best interest of the college, the researcher will be notified of the rejection immediately.

The researcher(s) submitting the application will be required to agree to supply the Academic Effectiveness & Assessment Officer with a complete, final version of the research report for placement in the central research files.

An Annual Update Form will be required to be filed by the research applicant with the Department of Academic Effectiveness & Assessment. Where the research has not been completed within the allotted twelve months, the applicant(s) may request an extension of time.