This policy applies to all forms of data collection (quantitative and qualitative) for academic purposes by students, faculty, and/or administration of the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, and from persons external to the university. The objective of the policy is to ensure that data collection is completed with integrity and technical competence. This policy covers data collection for class assignments, research and evaluation studies. This policy is not meant to prevent access to information or opinions within the scope of critical inquiry and scholarship.

The review process includes the consideration of the protection of human subjects and the technical adequacy of the instrumentation. Additional clearances must be obtained according to the policies of the external organizations where the data is being collected.

The process of approval is outlined below:

• The individual prepares materials including the project proposal, the data collection instrument, and the Human Subjects Review Form and submits the materials to the program director.
• The program director and a member of the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee (AP&PC) review for approval the materials and determine whether further review by a Human Subjects Committee is necessary.
• If the program director and the member of the AP&PC deem review by a Human Subjects Committee is necessary, the committee examines the materials and makes a decision regarding approval. The Human Subjects Committee is comprised of a dean, the program director or designee, and a member of the AP&PC.
• The program director notifies the individual of the decision. The process may take up to two weeks.