Survey and Research Subject Access

Each year, there are many requests from those within and outside the College for access to students, faculty, and staff for the purposes of surveys or research projects. When potential survey respondents are overloaded with survey requests, they may experience “survey fatigue,” resulting in low response rates for very important surveys the College conducts as a part of its educational and organizational assessment efforts.

Because of the need to limit the burden on students, faculty and staff in responding to these requests, all requests for access to members of the College community for recruitment to research studies or to distribute non-research surveys must be approved beforehand.

All requests for access to faculty, staff, or students for the purposes of human subjects research - thus requiring IRB approval or exemption - must specify the plan for obtaining IRB approval and supply documentation of the approval to the College prior to commencing study-related activities.

Procedure

1. Requests for access to students, faculty, or staff for the purposes of research or surveys should be directed to the Director, Institutional Effectiveness at evaluation@mccn.edu - at least two weeks before the start of the project.

2. Requests should include the timeframe for the project, a copy of the survey tool or research proposal, and any other information helpful in evaluating the request. The criteria for evaluation include, primarily: 

   1. alignment with MCCN mission, vision, and purpose, 

   2. appropriateness of topic, methods, and procedures, and 

   3. lack of interference with regular College assessment activities.

3. Approvals will be returned via email within 3 business days to the applicant with notifications to appropriate College faculty or staff impacted by the research or survey activity.