Criteria for Research Considered

Proposals which involve the following research procedures, singly or in combination, may be submitted for basic status using the green form.

1. Normal Educational Practices

    Research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices such as:

 

 a) research on instructional strategies

 b) research on the effectiveness of or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods.
 

This does not include questionnaires distributed in an  educational setting which do not relate to a) or b) above.
 

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2. Educational Testing
 

    Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement) if information taken from  these sources is recorded in such a manner that participants cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked  to the participants.
 

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3. Survey/Interview Procedures
 

    Research involving survey or interview procedures with legally competent non-institutionalized adults, except where either of the following conditions exist:
 

a) the participant's responses, if they become known outside the research, could reasonably place the participant at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the participant's reputation, financial standing or employability or

b) the research deals with sensitive aspects of the participant's own behavior, such as illegal drug conduct, drug use, sexual behavior, or the use of alcohol.
 

    All research involving survey or interview procedures is exempt, without exception, when the respondents are elected or appointed public officials or candidates for public office.

    Surveys and interviews conducted with children do not  qualify for exempt status.
 

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4. Observation

    Research involving observation (including observation by participants) of public behavior except where any of the following conditions exist:

a) the observations recorded about the individual, if they become known outside the research, could reasonably place the participant at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the participant's reputation, financial standing, or employability or

b) the research deals with sensitive aspects of the participant's own behavior such as illegal conduct, drug use, sexual behavior, or use of alcohol.

c) the research deals with the observation of the public behavior of children where the investigator participates in the activities being observed.

5. Use of Existing Records

    Research involving the collecting or study of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are publicly available or if the information is recorded in such a manner that participants cannot be identified, directly or indirectly, through identifiers linked to the participants.

6. Evaluation of Federal Research and Programs

    Research and demonstration projects which are conducted by or subject to the approval of the Department of Health and Human Services, and which are designed to study, evaluate, or otherwise examine:
 
a) programs under the Social Security Act or other public benefit or service program,

b) procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs,

c) possible changes in or alternatives to those programs   procedures, or

d) possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs.

7. Taste and Food Quality Evaluation and Consumer Acceptance Studies if

 a)  wholesome foods without additives are consumed, or

 b)  food ingredients are at or below the safe level as designated by the Food and Drug Administration or the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
 

Last updated: August, 2006

If you have any comments or suggestions about this web site, please send them to wsvelmoe@saintmarys.edu.

This site was authored by Dr. Catherine Pittman and Zhou Zhu as the product of a faculty / student special project.

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