Better Community Coalition Grants
Faculty Travel Grants to Present at Conferences
Student Travel Grants to Present at Conferences with Faculty
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CATEGORY II PACKET
Category 2 (Expedited Review) - your proposal fits this category if the research presents no more than minimal risk to subjects and is one of the following activities:
- research on educational curricula, records, or teaching methods involving normal educational practices
- research involving the use of educational tests if information taken from these sources is recorded in such a manner that subjects cannot be identified
- research on individual or group behavior of normal adults where there is no psychological intervention, physiological intervention or deception
- interviews and non-mailed surveys on non-sensitive topics
- minor changes in previously approved research (see appendix)
- continuations of approval for previously approved no-risk research with no more than minor changes in procedures (see appendix).
- research conducted on the Internet on non-sensitive topics (see appendix).
Research conducted in schools, agencies or businesses -
All research conducted in schools requires written permission on letterhead
from the school superintendent or principal. Research conducted in a business
or other organization also requires written permission of the director
of that organization. This must be attached to your proposal when it is
submitted. (Signed faxes on letterhead are acceptable).
Informed consent - research under this category does not, in
most cases, require written documentation of informed consent, but
oral consent is required. The proposal should include written information
to assist participants in making an informed decision. If minors are
involved (under the age of 18 years) in the research then written permission
of their parent or guardian is required for their participation. Written
consent is also required for interviews and for audio or videotaping.
The researcher must detail for the reviewers that legally effective informed consent (examples follow) is:
- obtained from the participant or their legally authorized representative for minors or those adults who cannot themselves give informed consent;
- be in language understandable to the subject or their representative (in some cases this may involve an interpreter). If a translation into another language is necessary you must submit the English and non-English version of consent forms, survey and interview questions;
- be obtained under circumstances that offer the participant or their representative sufficient opportunity to consider whether the subject should or should not participate;
- not include language through which the participant or their representative is asked to waive or appear to waive any of the participant's legal rights, or release or appears to release the research investigator, the sponsor, the institution, or its agents from liability for negligence.
Category 2 proposals should include in this order: ( See items below):
A. A completed and signed cover sheet with all required signatures.
B. Typed answers to questions 1-12. Sample completed project description is attached.
C. Attach a copy of your informed consent statement. If your research involves minors please attach two informed consent forms - one for their parent/guardian to sign and a second one for the minor to sign (depending upon age, it may just be read to them).
D. If research is to be conducted in a school, then please attach a letter of written permission from the school superintendent or principal. If the research is to be conducted in a business or other organization, please attach a letter of permission from the director of the organization. Sample completed consent forms are attached.
E. Attach any interview or survey questions used and indicate their source.
F. Submit two copies (including the original) to IRB Administrator, Grants Development Office, 6th Floor Allen Administration Building.Directions for completing a Category 2 proposal:
A. Attach a completed and signed cover sheet with required signatures.
SUNY BROCKPORT INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD
Human Participant Research Review Form
Proposal #
(# will be inserted by IRB)
Please follow these steps to submit your application.
1) Use these two pages as the first pages of your application.
2) If a Category 1 review send just the original, if a Category 2 send the original and one copy, if a Category 3 review send the original and eight copies (if faculty member/graduate student); only three copies and an original if an undergraduate student.
3) Deliver or mail to IRB Administrator, Grants Development Office, 6th Floor Allen, SUNY Brockport, 350 New Campus Drive, Brockport, N.Y. 14420. (585) 395-2779, irboffice@brockport.edu; fax number is (585) 395-2006.Please type or neatly print.
1. Investigator(s) name(s) ______________________________________Department _______________________________________________
Phone Number ________________________________
(where you can be reached during the day - so we can call with questions)E-mail address: ______________________________________________
Local mailing address: _________________________________________
2. Project Title: ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________3. College Status (for each investigator):
Faculty/Staff _________________________________
Undergraduate Student _________________________
Graduate Student _____________________________4. If the principal investigator is a student, list name, department, and local telephone
number of faculty supervisor. Please note that the Faculty/Staff Supervisor must
indicate knowledge and approval of this proposal by signing this form.
Faculty /Staff Supervisor's name: ___________________________________________
Department and phone number: _____________________________________________5. Check appropriate category of research project (complete after reviewing guidelines):
Category 1 (Exempt Review) ____; Category 2 (Expedited Review) ___________
Category 3 (Full Review) _______________
6. The Principal Investigator must sign this form. (If the P.I. is a student, their
faculty/staff supervisor must also sign this form).I certify that: 1) the information provided for this project is accurate; 2) no other
procedures will be used in this project; 3) any modifications in this project will be
submitted for IRB approval prior to use; 4) I have successfully completed the required
online IRB training program.
____________________________________________________________________
A. Signature of Investigator Date B. Faculty/Staff Supervisor: 1) I certify that this project is under my direct
supervision and that I am responsible for insuring that all provisions of approval are complied with by the principal investigator. 2) I have successfully completed the required online IRB training program. 3) My signature indicates I have reviewed this proposal and agree it is in final form and ready to be submitted to the IRB.
______________________________________________ ______________________
Signature of Faculty/Staff Supervisor Date 8/06
Project Description Questions to be answered. A sample completed project description follows.
B. Provide typed answers to items 1-12 below.
This information must be typed, and should be carefully checked for spelling and
grammar. Please number paragraphs according to the number of the item appropriate for your project. If an item is not applicable please put NA (for not applicable).
- Provide a brief project description. Describe: a) The objectives, methods and procedures of the project. b) The purpose of the research - include why it is significant and how it contributes to general knowledge. c) The emphasis should be on the human subject involvement in the project. Discussion of theoretical or statistical aspects of the project should be avoided. d) If a questionnaire, and/or testing instrument is to be used describe how it will be administered, by whom, and its source. If the survey is copyrighted, note when permission to use was given and indicate this at the bottom of page one of the survey form. e) If interviews are to be conducted, describe the nature of the interview and how responses will be recorded by written notes, audio or videotape, etc. (see appendix).
- Number of and the relevant characteristics of subjects.
- Describe how subjects will be selected for participation in this project and any fees, extra
credit, or other items they will receive for participation if appropriate.
- Status and qualifications of research assistants, if any. They must also complete appropriate IRB online training.
- Source of funding for project, if any.
- Expected starting and completion dates for project. (Note that project cannot begin until
approval has been received from IRB. Projects are given approval for a maximum of one year; if they continue past that point they must again receive IRB approval).
- Attach copies of all questionnaires, testing instruments, or interview protocols, and any
cover letters or instructions to participants.
- Attach a copy of your transcript of completion for the online training course. If you do not
have it, indicate that you completed it and records will be verified by the IRB Administrator.
- Specify steps to be taken to guard the confidentiality of participant's responses. Indicate
what personal identifying indicators will be kept on subjects (if any). Specify procedures for storage and ultimate disposal of personal information. This would normally mean keeping information in a locked file cabinet and shredding information at the end of the research project.
- Attach an informed consent document that includes the basic elements of
informed consent. ( See below for Sample Informed Consent)
- If the participants are to be drawn from an institution or organization (e.g. hospital,
social service agency, prison, school, etc.) that has the responsibility for the participants, then a copy of that assurance or, if not available, documentation of permission from the institution must be submitted to the IRB before final approval can be given.
- If the subjects will come into contact with any mechanical, electrical, electronic or other
equipment, Form 101, must be completed in order for the safety of the equipment to be
checked. See appendix.C. Attach a copy of your informed consent statement whether it will be signed by subjects or just read to them. If research involves minors, two informed consent forms should be attached - 1) one that provides for written permission of parent or legal guardian for a minor to participate and 2) a separate one that is addressed to minors. The form addressed to minors should be in language understandable to their age level. The form may be read aloud to a child and when appropriate the child should be given a copy to read along with.
Sample forms follow.D. If research is to be conducted in a school, institution or at a business the researcher must also attach a written letter of permission on the agency's letterhead from the school superintendent or principal, or the director of a business or organization where the research will be conducted. Sample letter follows.
E. Attach copy of any interview or survey questions used and indicate their source. The IRB cannot review your project without this information.
F. Submit 2 copies (one copy in addition to the original-- two copies and the original if minors are involved) to the IRB Administrator, Grants Development Office, 6th Floor Allen Administration Building. Be sure to submit a final version to the IRB that has been carefully reviewed for spelling and grammatical errors. Doing so will expedite the review process.
Category 2 proposals are reviewed by the IRB Chair and if the proposal is found to meet this category of review the proposal is then mailed to one additional member of the IRB Board for their review and approval. However, if the proposal involves minors it will be reviewed by two members of the IRB, in addition to the Chair. The approval time is dependent upon the time of year, the completeness of your proposal, and how quickly you respond to any revisions requested by the IRB Administrator. The average time is within 2 weeks of submission.
You will receive a phone call or email from the IRB Administrator or Secretary informing you that the project is approved or any revisions that may be needed prior to final approval. Final approval is given initially by phone or email and then followed by a formal letter within 5 business days. Maximum approval period is for 12 months.
Attachments for Category 2 Proposals on following pages:
B. Informed Consent Directions
C. Sample of General Informed Consent
D. Sample of Parental Consent
E. Sample of Minor Consent
F. Sample Letter for Institutional Consent
G. Sample IRB Category 2 Proposal
H. IRB Proposal Review Checklist
I. See IRB Appendix for Forms 101, 202, 303, and 404 as needed.B. Informed Consent Directions
Category II research projects do not need to obtain signatures on informed consents
unless 1) minors are involved or 2) audio or videotaping of interviews are involved. If minors are involved you must provide two separate consent forms. One for parent/guardians and one for minors (17 years of age and younger). The minors' forms should be in a language understandable to their age level.Proposals are approved more quickly if researchers use the attached sample informed
consent forms and modify them to fit your project. The following elements must be included:
A. Statement that the study involves research and why it is being conducted.
B. Explanation of the purpose of the research and the expected duration of the participant's involvement (e.g. how long will it take to complete the survey and number of questions).
C. Description of the procedures to be followed, and identification of any procedures that are experimental.
D. Description of any benefits to the participant's or to others which may reasonably be expected from the research.
E. Description of any reasonably foreseeable risks and discomforts to the participant.
F. Statement describing the extent, if any, to which confidentiality of records identifying the participant will be maintained, stored for how long, how destroyed.
G. For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether any medical treatment is available if injury occurs; or counseling available for questions that might be sensitive, and if so, what they consist of, or where further information may be obtained.
H. Name and phone number of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questionabout the participant's rights, and whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury to the participant.
I. Statement that participation is voluntary, and refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the participant is otherwise entitled.
J. Statement that participant may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the participant is otherwise entitled.
K. Name of institution should be fully spelled out (ex.Greater Rochester Collaborative
Masters in Social Work Program through SUNY Brockport and Nazareth College).
Whether presented orally or in writing, to the participants' the IRB must be provided a written description of these elements of informed consent to be presented to them. If the research cannot practically be completed without this requirement being waived or altered, please say so here, and include a debriefing procedure.
If minors are involved - in addition to parental consent adequate provisions must be made
for soliciting the assent of the children capable of providing their agreement. According to
federal regulations, assent means .."a child's affirmative agreement to participate in research.
Mere failure to object, absent affirmative agreement, should not be construed as assent."
Procedures for obtaining assent of children must be appropriate to their age level, maturity,
and psychological state. The essential information given to the child must include a
description of the procedures and clear indication that their participation is voluntary. If the research is being conducted in schools, it must be clearly stated that this research is not part of the child's regular school program, not being conducted by the school, and that participation will not affect the child's grade.In cases where there is inconsistency between the consent of the parent and the agreement of the child, the following rule will be followed: A "no" from the child overrides a "yes" from the parent, but a "yes" from the child does not override a "no" from the parent.
Non-participation in a research project being conducted as part of a class or group (whether or not minors are involved), must detail alternatives for those in the class not participating in the research. For example, if extra credit is being offered for participation then the researcher must detail how those not participating have an alternative method of obtaining extra credit. This is to minimize coercion to participate. Another example would be if an investigator is conducting research in a classroom where they will be observing, interviewing and taping the class. Please explain what procedures will be followed for those children in the class whose parents have not given permission, or where the child does not agree to participate in the research.
Following pages have examples of three informed consent forms for different participants to use as models.
C. SAMPLE OF GENERAL INFORMED CONSENT FORM
(not involving minors).
This can be modified to fit the needs of your project. Note that it contains the required elements of informed consent.STATEMENT OF INFORMED CONSENT
The purpose of this research project is to examine some of the ways adults, 65 and older, take care of their health. Four areas will be studied including exercise, diet, taking medications, and seeking medical care. This research project is also being conducted in order for me to complete my masters thesis for the Department of ___________ at the State University of New York College at Brockport.
In order to participate in this study, your informed consent is required. You are being asked to make a decision whether or not to participate in the project. If you want to participate in the project, and agree with the statements below, (INSERT EITHER OF THESE TWO OPTIONS - a) "please sign your name in the space provided at the end"; b) "your completion of the survey and/or interview signifies your consent" (if signature is not required - most Category 2 proposals). You may change your mind at any time and leave the study without penalty, even after the study has begun.
I understand that:
I am 18 years of age or older. I have read and understand the above statements. All my questions about my participation in this study have been answered to my satisfaction. I agree to participate in the study realizing I may withdraw without penalty at any time during the survey process. Returning the survey (and/or completing interview if appropriate) indicates my consent to participate.
- My participation is voluntary and I have the right to refuse to answer any questions.
- My confidentiality is guaranteed. My name will not be written on the survey. There will be no way to connect me to my written survey. If any publication results from this research, I would not be identified by name.
- There will be no anticipated personal risks or benefits because of my participation in this project.
- My participation involves reading a written survey of X# of questions and answering those questions in writing. It is estimated that it will take X# of minutes to complete the survey.
- Approximately X # people will take part in this study. The results will be used for the completion of a masters thesis by the primary researcher.
- Data will be kept in a locked filing cabinet by the investigator. Data and consent forms will be destroyed by shredding when the research has been accepted and approved.
If you have any questions you may contact:
Primary researcher Faculty Advisor Name Name Phone Number Department and phone number Note: Signatures and the date are required for any category 2 proposal involving minors. Add a line with a place for signature and the date.
Additional information will be applicable for some projects.
If one of the following applies to your proposal please add this to the consent form above the section regarding whom to contact for information.
- Payment for participation - include the amount of payment and procedures to be paid. Please note that participants must be paid even if they don't complete the study. If you are paying participants more than $600 annually please contact the IRB Administrator for specific language that must be included in your consent form. Also see attached appendix.
- Taping (audio and video) - if you are audio/video taping you have two options:
a) If you require participants to consent to the taping in order to participate, you should clearly state this in the consent form in the study description section.
b) If it is acceptable for participants to refuse taping and still participate, you should include a separate section for taping information at the end of the consent form with a separate signature line for consent to the taping.
All participants completing interviews must sign a consent form.
- Referrals - if the study has the potential to arouse questions and concerns in participants
( i.e. regarding their substance use, etc., include an agency and phone number list for
participants to contact if they feel the need to do so (ex. College Counseling Center, local
agencies, etc.).
- Studies conducted in classrooms/school settings - you must include on the consent form
a statement that participation in the research will not affect participants' grades or class
standings.
- Research conducted on the Internet - should include the following statement on the consent form:
"This project has been approved by the SUNY College at Brockport's Institutional Review Board. Approval of this project only signifies that the procedures adequately protect the rights and welfare of the participants. Please note that absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed due to the limited protections of Internet access."D. Sample of Parental Consent Form
The form should be modified for your proposal. Two forms must be submitted to the IRB for approval if the proposal involves minors. One form for parent/guardian and one for minors. They both must be written in language understandable to the educational level of the parent and child.
STATEMENT OF INFORMED CONSENT FOR PARENTS
This form describes a research study being conducted with students about their understanding of and attitudes about the American voting process. This purpose of this research is to understand the perceptions of young people regarding participation in voting because they are the future citizens of this nation. The person conducting the research is a (insert one option - faculty member, staff or student) at SUNY College at Brockport. If you agree to have your child participate in this study, s/he will be asked to complete a questionnaire about her/his knowledge of the voting process and her/his attitudes about voting.
The possible benefit from being in this study could be that information will be learned that would allow teachers to better prepare young people to become informed voters.
Your child's participation in this study is completely voluntary. Being in it or refusing to be in it, will not affect your child's grades or class standing. S/he is free to change her/his mind or stop being in the study at any time.
I understand that:
- My child's participation is voluntary and s/he has the right to refuse to answer any
questions. S/he will have a chance to discuss any questions s/he has about the study with
the researcher after completing the questionnaire.
- My child's confidentiality is guaranteed. Her/his name will not be written on the survey.
There will be no way to connect my child to the written survey. If any publication results
from this research, s/he would not be identified by name. Results will be given
anonymously and in group form only, so that neither the participants nor their schools can
be identified.
- There will be no anticipated personal risks or benefits because of participation in this project.
- My child's participation involves reading a written survey of X# of questions and answering those questions in writing. It is estimated that it will take X# of minutes to complete the survey.
- Approximately X # people will take part in this study. The results will be used for the completion of a research project by the primary researcher.
- Data and consent forms will be kept separately in a locked filing cabinet by the
investigator and will be destroyed by shredding when the research has been completed.You are being asked whether or not you will permit your child to participate in this study. If you wish to give permission to participate, and you agree with the statement below, please sign in the space provided. Remember, you may change your mind at any point and withdraw from the study. Your child can refuse to participate even if you have given permission for her/him to participate.
I understand the information provided in this form and agree to allow my child to participate as a participant in this project. I am 18 years of age or older. I have read and understand the above statements. All my questions about my child's participation in this study have been answered to my satisfaction.
If you have any questions you may contact:
Primary researcher Faculty Advisor Name Name Phone Number Department and phone number ___________________________________________ ______________________
Signature of Parent /Date
Child's name _____________________________________
E. Sample of an Informed Consent Form for research involving minors.
The form should be modified for your proposal. Two forms must be submitted to the IRB for approval if the proposal involves minors. One form for parent/guardian and one for minors. They both must be written in language understandable to the educational level of the parent and child.
STATEMENT OF INFORMED CONSENT FOR MINORS
This form describes a research study being conducted with students about their understanding of and attitudes about the American voting process. This purpose of this research is to understand the perceptions of young people regarding participation in voting because they are the future citizens of this nation. The person conducting the research is a (insert one option - faculty member, staff or student) at SUNY College at Brockport. If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about your knowledge of the voting process and your attitudes about voting.
The possible benefit from being in this study could be that information will be learned that would allow teachers to better prepare young people to become informed voters.
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. Being in it or refusing to be in it, will not affect your grades or class standing. You are free to change your mind or stop being in the study at any time.
I understand that:
- My participation is voluntary and I have the right to refuse to answer any
questions. I will have a chance to discuss any questions I have about the study with
the researcher after completing the questionnaire.- My confidentiality is guaranteed. My name will not be written on the survey.
There will be no way to connect me to the written survey. If any publication results
from this research, I would not be identified by name. Results will be given anonymously
and in group form only, so that neither the participants nor their schools can be
identified.- There will be no anticipated personal risks or benefits because of participation in this
project.- My participation involves reading a written survey of X# of questions and answering those questions in writing. It is estimated that it will take X# of minutes to complete the survey.
- Approximately X # people will take part in this study. The results will be used for the completion of a research project by the primary researcher.
- Data and consent forms will be kept separately in a locked filing cabinet by the
investigator and will be destroyed by shredding when the research has been completed
You are being asked whether or not you want to participate in this study. If you wish to participate, and you agree with the statement below, please sign in the space provided. Remember, you may change your mind at any point and withdraw from the study. You can refuse to participate even if your parent/guardian gives permission for you to participate.
If you have any questions you may contact:
Primary researcher Faculty Advisor Name Name Phone Number Department and phone number I understand the information provided in this form and agree to participate in this project.
___________________________________________ ______________________
Signature of participant /Date______________________________
Birth date of participant
_________________________________________ ________________________
Signature of a witness 18 years of age or older /Date
F. Sample Letter for Institutional Consent
Have institution print the consent on its letterhead and sign
To: Institutional Review Board
SUNY BrockportI have read and approve the research study entitled, "________________________"
By _______________________________ [name(s) of primary researcher(s)] and give consent for the study to be conducted at or through _________________________(name of institution).
The institution may add any other appropriate requirements, such as so long as information regarding the study is shared with staff of the agency after the completion of the study, so long as parental permission is obtained, etc.___________________________________ _______________________________
Signature/ Date
Title of person signing (representing the authority to give institutional permission)
G. Sample Category 2 Proposal For a Class Project (sample for non-class project follow this segment).
1) Project description:
This project is being conducted as part of a class project for Course 355 (Organizational
Communication). It involves an examination of the communication behavior within actual
organizations. Specifically, through interviews, students (individually or in teams) will
investigate a number of aspects of organizational communication, including the flow of
information throughout organizations, relationships between employees, the recruitment and
socialization of employees, and the way management and employees communication with each
other.This project has been organized differently this semester. Rather than having each student
submitting an individual IRB proposal, I am submitting this one proposal on behalf of all of
the students in Course 355 (both section 01 and 02). To make this possible, I am standardizing the research questions (attached to this proposal) that will be asked, as well as the statement of informed consent (I will create a template with space for students to add their names and contact information).This design means that I will be responsible for verifying: 1) that my students have completed
online training and 2) that my students have obtained written permission from an appropriate person in each organization. Before my students may begin this project (receive any course credit for the assignment), they must submit their IRB completion certificate as well as written
permission from the organization signed by an appropriate person (the template that I am giving
students for this letter is attached to this proposal).
Finally, along with submitting all research materials (interview notes etc.) at the end of the
project, I also am requiring students to submit a signed consent form for every person that they
interviewed. The ability to even receive a final grade on the project is contingent on the
submission of all these materials.2) Number of participants and relevant characteristics:
Approximately 30 students in both section of the course will each be expected to interview
about 10-12 participants, so the total number of participants will be around 300-360 people.
Participants will be selected based on their membership in a relevant organization.3) Selection Process (how participants will be selected):
Each student is expected to obtain a sample that represents the various departments/levels of the
given organization.4) Status of Research Assistants (background/qualifications):
Given that I am the principal investigator submitting this proposal, my students essentially are
acting as research assistants for this project. In addition to the students' online training, I
devoted an entire course session outlining the project, discussing the nature of the research,
going over the interview questions, and discussing important procedures. In addition, I begin
each class session allowing students to ask any course-related questions, so as additional issues
arise, I am in a position to address them.5) Source of Funding:
There is no funding for this project6) Start/Completion date:
The project will start as soon as it gains IRB approval. Research will be completed by the end of
the Fall 2006 semester.7) Attach copies of all questionnaires, testing instruments, or interview protocols, and any cover letters or instructions to participants. Please see the attached materials
8) IRB training certificate is attached.
9) Anonymity/Confidentiality (how you will protect participants so they are not identified with
their responses):
The names of participants will not be recorded. Instead, each person's position within the
company will be recorded. If any researchers know the participants, the researchers will not
identify any participant with their responses. Therefore, the final report and presentation to the
class will include references to position (for example: "senior manager," "middle manager,"
"member of the marketing department," etc.). There are no plans to share any information with
the organization being studied. However, if information is requested, only general conclusions,
and not any identifying information, will be shared with them. The names of organizations will
not be used in the questionnaire or written summaries. Organizations will be referred to by
type.Upon completion of the project, all information gained through interviews, including the
statements of informed consent, will be given to Professor Harrington, who will keep it locked
in his office, until it is destroyed at some point after the semester has ended.Prof. Harrington will keep all of the organization permission letters so that they may be
provided to the IRB Administrator upon request.10) Consent form
A consent form with all of the required information is attached to this document.11) N/A
12) N/A
Interview Guide
The following is the interview guide that all students will use for this project. This list may include additional relevant follow-up questions.
- What are a few words you would use to describe the atmosphere in your department? In the entire organization? What makes you choose those descriptions?
- On a scale of 1-10 (10 being great), how would you describe the quality of communication with your immediate supervisor? What are some of the key reasons behind your evaluation?
- How did working here compare to what you were told it would be like when applying?
- What kinds of training and orientation activities did you experience when you arrived here? How well did they help you become part of the organization?
- How well are you kept informed of changes taking place in the organization? Please elaborate.
- Please consider the questions in reference to interactions with people in each of the departments your department interacts with in some way (you can have participants indicate on a 1-10 scale):
- Do people in this department have the same work goals as you?
- How much do people in this department know about your job?
- How much respect do you get from the people in this department?
- How often do you communicate in this department?
- Do the people in this department communication with you in a timely way (before it's too late!)?
- When there is a problem, are people in this department more focused on solving it or figuuring out whose fault it was?
Remember - it's important to have respondents answer these questions in reference to relevant departments around them, not just one: doing one question at a time for all departments; so, for #1, "do people in ___ dept. have same goals? How about the ___ dept? the ___ dept? … "and so on for each question.
Thank you very much for your time!
Statement of Informed Consent (for a Class Project)
The purpose of this research is to study communication within an actual organization. It is being conducted to fulfill requirements for a course in organizations at SUNY College at Brockport. This research is being conducted by interviewing various members of your organization who are willing to participate. Our goal is to examine organizational communication, including the flow of information throughout organizations, relationships between employees, the recruitment and socialization of employees, and the way management and employees communicate with each other.
In order to participate in this study, your informed consent is required. You are being asked to make a decision whether or not to participate in the project. If you want to participate in the project, and agree with the statements below, please sign below. You may change your mind at any time and leave the study without penalty, even after the study has begun.
I understand that:
- My participation is voluntary and I have the right to refuse to answer any questions.
- My confidentiality and my organization's confidentiality are guaranteed. There will be no way to connect my responses to me or to my organization.
- There will be no anticipated personal risks or benefits because of my participation in this project.
- My participation involves an interview of about 10 questions that will take 20-40 minutes.
- Approximately 10-12 people from my organization will take part in this study. The results will be used for the completion of a class project in Course 355 (Organizational Communication) at SUNY Brockport.
- Data will be kept in a locked filing cabinet in the investigator's office. Data and consent forms will be destroyed by shredding at the end of the Fall 2006 semester.
I am 18 years of age or older. I have read and understand the above statements. All my questions about my participation in this study have been answered to my satisfaction. I agree to participate in the study realizing I may withdraw without penalty at any time during the survey process. Completion of my interview indicates my consent to participate.
If you have any question you may contact:
Faculty Advisor Faculty Member Name Department of _______ , SUNY Brockport
Email address
PhoneStudent Researcher(s): (include name and email address of all group members) Signature of Consent: _____________________________________ Date: __________________
NOTE TO STUDENT: PLEASE HAVE YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE DETACH THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE AND COPY ONTO THE ORGANIZATION'S LETTERHEAD BEFORE SIGNING IT:
H. Sample Organizational Letter of Approval (on the organization's letterhead)By signing below I am giving my permission for (insert student name(s)) ______________________to approach employees of (insert the name of the organization here) to be interviewed as part of their Organizational Communication course project at SUNY Brockport. They may interview any employee who is willing to participate. In understand that neither the employees' names nor the organization's name will be used in the research project.
________________________________________________
Name of Organization's Director (please print)________________________________________________
Signature_____________________
Date
Sample Category 2 Proposal for Individual Research
1) Project description:
This project is an initial investigation into the ways in which teachers frame classroom messages as well as the goals that these framing devices are intended to meet. There is an interesting reason to pursue research in this area. Presumably, all teachers have to deliver bad news or bad grades to students, or make decisions that inevitably will not be satisfactory to at least some students. This project is being conducted under the premise that teachers vary in their ability to communicate these messages to students, and that differences in the ways teachers frame their messages would account for meaningful variance in a number of important instructional outcomes, including students' affect for the teacher, perceptions of the teacher's credibility, perceptions of fairness, actual learning, and teacher evaluations.
However, before I can consider the above hypotheses, there is a more immediate problem that I'm aiming to address with the project I'm proposing here. Because framing is such a powerful and salient concept, a number of different research programs have investigated framing from a number of different perspectives (Hallahan, 1999). The downside of this is that the literature
on framing is fragmented and lacks coherence. Furthermore, not all approaches to framing may be relevant in the instructional context. The proposed project addresses this problem by exploring the different ways in which instructors frame messages in the classroom. Specifically, I will ask participants to describe a recent example of when they intentionally framed something they said to students, as well as the goal they were trying to achieve by framing the message as they did. My analysis of the responses will involve the development of categories of framing and outcome goals.This study will provide the foundation for a research program in which I could systematically manipulate the different types of framing and examine the types of outcomes I mentioned above.
2) Number of participants and relevant characteristics:
I will contact full- and part-time instructors at SUNY College at Brockport (approximately 500 participants) by email. Faculty of any level of experience or seniority who are teaching at least one course this semester will be invited to participate.
3) Selection Process (how participants will be selected):
All faculty at SUNY College at Brockport will be contacted via email and directed to ANGEL to complete the survey. I have attached an email from Christopher Price, the director of CELT, in which he give me permission to use CELT's mailing list for this project.
4) Status of Research Assistants (background/qualifications):
There are no research assistants for this project. After data collection, individuals unfamiliar with this study will categorize the responses, but these individuals will see nothing more than individual statements (they will not see a complete questionnaire).
5) Source of Funding:
There is no funding for this project.6) Start - Completion dates:
The project will start a few weeks into the fall semester. Data will be collected by the end of the Fall 2006 semester.
7) Attach copies of all questionnaires, testing instruments, or interview protocols, and any cover letters or instructions to participants.Please see the following attached materials:
- Message to faculty asking them to participate
- Statement of Informed Consent
- The Survey I plan to use
- Email from Christopher Price in which he gives me permission to use the CELT
ANGEL mailing list for this project.8) Attach a copy of your certificate of completion for the online training course. If you don't have it indicate that you completed it and records will be verified by the IRB Administrator.
I've completed it.9) Anonymity/Confidentiality (how you will protect participants so they are not identified with their responses):
On ANGEL it is possible to administer a survey in which the respondents are not identified (their name is not linked to their submission). I have used this approach before and will use it for this study. Furthermore, I am not seeking demographic information that would allow me to identify instructors.10) Consent form
A consent form with all of the required information has been attached to this document.
11) N/A
12) N/A
IRB Proposal Checklist (used by IRB reviewers to evaluate each proposal)
Project Description:Item #1 _____State purpose of the research -
how the proposed study is beneficial to new knowledge/why is the research important?_____ purpose need to be restated in the informed consent for potential
participants to know the potential value of the research study.Item #2 _____ the number of participants should be consistent in all parts of the
proposal and in the informed consent, cover letters, etc.Item# 3 _____ Methods for data collection should be consistent throughout the proposal and the informed
consent regarding questionnaire/survey, interview, audiotaping, videotaping, observations, use of
materials already required for classroom work, etc.
Item #4 Research Instruments:
_____cite sources on each page of instruments if not self-designed
_____explain who designed questionnaire
When using published or unpublished evaluation or measurement tools, surveys, etc. the source
should always be cited on each page of the tool in addition to citing the source in the proposal.
Permission forms to use tools should be attached to the proposal whenever it is required to obtain
such permission.Institutional Permission:
________ preferable that the permission be on agency letterhead and signed by an employee who has
authority to give permission. (Permission is needed from an organization, business, school, etc.
to recruit participants from its membership, conduct surveys on its premise, etc.). The
investigator can compose the letter and ask organizations to copy it onto letterhead and then
sign and submit it.Informed Consent Forms:
_______check for consistency between the proposal and consent form for number of participants, forms of
data collection, protection of the identity of the participants as well as organizations from which
recruited.______ indicate affiliated with SUNY Brockport and include the Department
______ state risks are not anticipated or that time spent or fatigue can be a minor risk
______ if participants will have face to face interviews or be audio or videotaped, then signed consent
forms are needed______ include the names and phone numbers of both the principal investigator( s) and the faculty
member. If children are part of the research, then both parent consents and child assents should
be developed
______ include statement of " I am 18 years or older. . ." for all adult consents.Overall
______ proofread and correct proposal, informed consent, and/or questionnaire
_____ check for consistency between the proposal, hypothesis, informed consent, and data collection
instrument.
