Procedure:     Research: Authorization to Conduct
Department:      Research and Planning
Contact:            Craig Taylor, (541) 463-5364        taylorc@lanecc.edu

All research and survey requests meeting the following conditions must be reviewed by the Research Review Committee, and, in some cases, the appropriate vice president or the president.  This procedure is intended to insure that college staff and students who may be affected by the research can be certain that the research is sound and does not violate board policy, college operating procedures, or federal regulations concerning protection of human subjects.

The Research Review Committee is composed of staff members performing the functions of institutional research and evaluation.  Additional staff members may serve in an advisory capacity where appropriate.

APPROVAL PROCEDURE

The following persons or groups of persons must comply with the Lane Authorization to Conduct Research procedures:

1. Any person or group of persons who is neither employed by nor a student of Lane Community College and who wishes to use Lane employees, students, records, or facilities as part of a research project, survey or study.

2. Any Lane student or staff proposing to conduct surveys or studies that:

a. Involve staff members in more than one instructional department or college unit;

b. Involve classes in more than one instructional department; or

c. Directly affect and/or address activities in more than one department or college unit.

After receiving the completed request from the researcher, the Research Review Committee will verify the following items:

1. The Authorization to Conduct Research Form has been completed.

2. The appropriate signatures have been obtained by the researcher.

3. The proposed research or survey is compatible with Lane Community College's mission and purpose and is education-related.  The research should deal with the teaching/learning environment or with the college's policies, procedures or operations.

4. The proposal meets the requirements of Protection of Human Subjects (45CFR46).

5. The results will be disseminated in a fashion which would protect the identity of the subjects and, if appropriate, the college.  It must be understood that names of individuals will not be used in the study unless permission is granted in writing by the individuals.  The name of Lane Community College will be used only if permission is granted by the committee.

Research requests will be reviewed independently by each committee member.  Approval of the proposal will be based on the following criteria:

1. Compatibility with the college's mission and purpose.

2. Soundness of rationale for conducting the research project or survey.

3. Soundness of rationale and appropriateness of the sampling, methodology, instrumentation, and treatment of data.

4. Acceptability of the potential effects the collection of data and the dissemination and use of results may have on Lane students, personnel, operations, and the community.

5. Evidence of support of other involved individuals or groups internal or external to Lane.

Under certain circumstances, the Research Review Committee will submit the request to the appropriate vice president or the president for approval.  This submission will occur if the project:

1. Has political or broad community implications for the college;

2. Involves board policy;

3. Involves all or a significant portion of the staff;

4. Involves all or a significant portion of the students; or

5. Involves established operating procedures and/or policies  (e.g., Board of Education Policy,  etc).

If a research request is denied, the notification will include the reason(s) for the denial.  A revised proposal, or sections thereof, may be submitted for reconsideration.