Human subjects question Nancy Peterson 15 Dec 1999 11:25 EST

A faculty member has raised the issue of whether or not assessment
activities are covered by human subjects regulations.  My assessment
coordinator and I see them as data collection activities akin to the survey
you get in the box with a new toaster and/or the surveys you hand out at
the end of a workshop asking for the audience's feedback.  Hence,
assessment is more product evaluation than research on human subjects, and
the formalities of signed consent forms and IRB review don't apply.

Processing every class evaluation survey used each semester and every
institutional satisfaction survey administered would be something of a
logistical nightmare.  Have any of you had this question raised before?

**************************************************************************

Nancy Kay Peterson
Director of Grants & Sponsored Projects
Somsen Hall Room 202-C
Winona State University
Winona, MN  55987

Phone:  507.457.5519
Fax:       507.457.2415
xxxxxx@winona.msus.edu
http://www.winona.msus.edu/grants/

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