© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho STUDENT RESEARCH USING HUMAN SUBJECTS Scott Bergstrom Institutional Research March 15,

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho 1. Why do we limit the number of subjects for student research? 2. What are the laws and local rules governing research activity on campus? 3. What resources are available to students? 4. What topics are out of bounds for student researchers? How do we handle student researchers who want to investigate sensitive topics? Agenda 2

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho 1. Why do we limit the number of subjects for student research? 3

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho 1. Why do we limit the number of subjects for student research? 4

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho 1. Why do we limit the number of subjects for student research? 5 Significance: 2 surveys per student each semester Plus 3 end-of-semester surveys: Housing Survey, Survey of Graduating Students, and Course Evaluations Plus a variety of administrative surveys throughout.

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho Practice: Student online surveys are given 100 to 300 subjects (i.e., addresses). Senior-level research classes are eligible for 400 to 500. Questions: Does this hurt your ability to teach students proper research methods? Is there a better way to allocate subjects? What happens when each student gets many more requests to participate in surveys in a semester? 1. Why do we limit the number of subjects for student research? 6

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho Do students really need to collect data or can they work from existing data sets? Can intercepts, observations, focus groups, interviews, or phone surveys work just as well? Do you ensure that your students are professional in their invitations to participate in research? Can students get by with a simple random sample instead of an esoteric stratified or cluster sample? How early in the semester can the survey be administered? (The last three weeks of the semester are very challenging) Will continued increases in online surveying degrade response rates and eventually “kill the goose that lays our golden eggs?” Considerations for Online Surveys 7

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho Federal Laws (45 CFR Part 46) 1. Research is “a systematic investigation…designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” If study goes outside classroom, it involves generalizing knowledge. 2. The online registration process ensures proper oversight. Most student research is considered ‘exempt’ from IRB review. 3. Any research which targets minors or other vulnerable populations must be reviewed by the BYU-Idaho IRB. 4. Human subjects must be presented with some form of informed consent. 5. Researchers must understand and mitigate any potential risks and/or harm to their subjects. 2. What are the laws and rules? 8

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho University Rules 1. All studies using human subjects must be registered. 2. Students should not generate their own samples without permission. The university will generate random samples for the projects. 3. Students should not request class time for their research activity UNLESS it is part of the course curriculum or in harmony with department protocol. 4. Students are not allowed to mass employees. They can conduct limited phone or face-to-face interviews. 5. Intercepting or videotaping in the library is not allowed. 6. Students should avoid overly intrusive research activities. 2. What are the laws and rules? 9

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho Practice: Enforce the federal laws and university rules. Questions: Do you teach these to your students? Do students follow them? Do we need a centralized way of communicating these laws and rules to students? Example: a university-wide human subjects tutorial? Do any of local rules interfere with your ability to teach students proper research methods? 2. What are the laws and rules? 10

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho 3. What resources are available to students? 11 Qualtrics is available at no cost to BYU-Idaho students and faculty

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho Practice: Provide Qualtrics and samples. Questions: Are there other resources which the university could provide? Example: Access to data sets. 3. What resources are available to students? 12

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho Practice: Discourage research which investigates the religious, moral, or spiritual behaviors and attitudes of student body or Church members. Evaluate on a case-by-case basis. Questions: Have we been too restrictive? What topics are out of bounds for student researchers? How do we handle student researchers who want to investigate sensitive topics? 4. Sensitive topics? 13

© 2008 Brigham Young University–Idaho