Research Review Application Process

Required research approval All MSA 699 students are required to obtain research approval prior to collecting data for their MSA 699 projects. The majority of students will go through the MSA Program’s Research Review Application (RRA) process. A few students may need CMU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) process. Documentation of research approval is required to clear the graduation audit. (approval e-mails will be sent by Christina Prout or Kim Gribben)

Do I need the IRB process? Two critical criterion: use of human subjects in your project and have plans to publish your findings or present your findings outside of your organization  Research is defined by the IRB as a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. We ask about the intent to publish or present as a screening criteria. However, the intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge defines the research as research which requires IRB approval.

RRA process The RRA form and supporting materials are developed out of chapter 3 of the MSA 699 project. Your MSA 699 instructor will tell you when to develop the materials. The form and supporting materials goes first to the instructor for review and signature. The instructor then sends the packet to the MSA office for a final review.

Projects without human subjects In the large text box on the form, describe the purpose of your research, describe the data you plan to use, and specify the sources of your data (URL, organizational source, etc.) Required attachments: A signed permission letter on the organization’s letterhead if the data is not available to the general public.

Projects with human subjects (surveys, interviews, identifiable data) In the large text box on the form: describe the purpose of your research; specify the source of your subject pool, the number of subjects, and the selection criteria. Specify your relationship to the subjects (co-worker, supervisor, work in same organization, etc.) Describe your research methodology—survey, interview, or data collection details.

Templates Templates are available at http://www.grad.cmich.edu/msa/researchreview for: Survey cover letters Consent forms Telephone interviews or informal interviews Permission letters

Samples Samples can be found in Part 2, Student Guide to the MSA Capstone Project: RRA forms and sample text Permission letters and suggested text Survey cover letter Consent form

Supporting materials to submit with the RRA form Copy of survey or interview questions, Cover letter or consent form, Signed permission letter on the organization’s letterhead (digital signatures are acceptable) Details of the source if the subject pool is selected from a public source such as a phone directory or web page (provide the URL).

FAQs Why is a permission letter needed? A permission letter documents that the researcher has access to the subject pool or the proposed data. Why provide an estimate on the number of subjects? Helps to the determine if the demographic questions are appropriate based on the size of the subject pool. The combination of demographic questions could serve to identify individual participants. If subjects are to be anonymous, the demographic questions should be appropriate for the size of the subject pool.

FAQs continued Why is it important to disclose the researcher’s relationship to proposed subjects? This information helps the RRA reviewer determine is a supervisor disclosure should be added to consent documents and also helps in evaluating the risk related to survey/interview questions. Why should the researcher eliminate subjects under the age of 18? Subjects under the age of 18 are considered minors and cannot give consent without also having the consent of a parent/guardian.

FAQs continued Is social media acceptable as a method for developing a subject pool? Social media is acceptable if the researcher can survey a targeted group. Surveying friends and family is not a scholarly approach. Are there free online surveys available to students? Yes, free online surveys are available to students and are often restricted in terms of the number of questions that can be included in the survey. SurveyMonkey is one service available, but there are many others.

Additional considerations Military students: Students at military locations should be aware that there are DoD regulations regarding the use of other military personnel as human subjects.  Commercial online surveys, such as SurveyMonkey, are not acceptable. Hospital IRBs (Civilian and Military): Students who plan research in hospitals should be determine whether the hospital has an IRB requirement.

Good luck! Set yourself small goals each week and achieve those goals! Communicate with your instructor. He or she only wants your success and is your best resource. Use the Writing Center and library resources to improve your writing and adherence to the APA format