6136:01
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Policy #: 6136:01
Subject: Policy and Guidelines for Research Projects
Section: Personnel (6100-6199)
Effective: August 17, 1992

The following policy and guidelines are established to (a) safeguard the rights and welfare of human subjects, and (b) ensure that research in progress at Northern Maine Community College reflects ethical practice. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure that the rights of research subjects are protected; furthermore, adherence to these guidelines will assist researchers in obtaining informed consent of subjects.

Four rights specifically protected in these guidelines are the rights (1) not to be harmed, (2) to receive full disclosure, (3) self-determination, and (4) to have confidentiality and privacy respected.

Protection from harm: Research subjects must be advised of the risks involved in participating in a study. Research investigators must take every reasonable precaution to reduce the likelihood of risk. Many kinds of possible harm must be taken into account. Risks can by physical, psychological, emotional, financial, legal, or social in nature. Research subjects must be advised of the recourse available should harm befall them.

Full Disclosure: Research subjects must be given accurate and complete information about the study in terms they can understand. Information concerning the following aspects of the study must be included:
§ Purpose, nature, and duration of the study
§ Data collection methods and procedures to be utilized
§ How the results will be used, including possible publication
§ How to refuse or withdraw from a study
§ The identity of the research investigator and how to contact him/her

The primary focus and responsibility of the RRC will be the protection of human subjects of research. No research of human subjects on the NMCC campus shall be conducted until the RRC has reviewed a proposal form submitted by the responsible research investigator and has determined that all research and ethical guidelines have been followed. The RRC will be secondarily responsible for review, approval, and monitoring (if necessary), any such research, and also for educating the NMCC community in the research and RRC approval process.

Responsibilities and Authority:
Specific responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following:

1. Meet monthly or when necessary to review research proposal forms submitted by research investigator. The committee would convene within two weeks of receipt of the research proposal form and act on the application in a timely manner.
2. Approve, disapprove, or require modification in the research proposal submitted and inform the president and vice president of action. If the proposal is denied, information forwarded should include the rationale of the rejection of the proposal.
3. Maintain records of meetings, actions, and activities.
4. Conduct annual review of the research “Policy and Guidelines” and recommend to the president any necessary addition, deletions, or changes.

Membership:
There shall be membership representative of persons, employees, students, and advisory council members, with varying backgrounds, expertise, and interests. There shall be no more than nine or less than five members with the following appointed term structure:

3 members – 3-year term
3 members – 2-year term
3 members – 1-year term

Initial appointments and reappointments are made by the President and members may be reappointed to successive terms.

An application and detailed directions have been developed to expedite the work for the Research Review Committee (RRC) and to insure a more rapid proposal evaluation and recommendations for the researcher. If a questionnaire is used, submit enough samples of the questions to give the committee a flavor of the research. The detailed statement of policies and procedures for protecting human subjects in research or other material that serves as guides for RRC members can be obtained from the committee chairperson, announced annually.

The Research Review Committee views with special concern those applications that create stress for the subject. Approval of such an application is based on the following requirements: (a) that the investigator has made a thorough search of alternatives which would minimize stress; (b) that the investigator, after due consideration, has concluded that the potential theoretical or practical value of the research warrants the use of procedures that arouse ethical concern; (c) that the investigator would find the research procedures to be acceptable were members of his/her own family to serve as subjects in the research.

Last changed: Dec 12 2007 at 12:47 PM