Dear colleagues:

Could you please share some insight as to engagement in research for this scenario:

For an expedited study (funded by a federal agency which has adopted the 2018 Requirements), institution A has developed a new college course that aims to cultivate interest in pursuing a career in science. The course will be taught by respective faculty at 5 other universities. Teaching such course is the only involvement (in the research) of such faculty at those 5 universities. Does such involvement constitute engagement in research (i.e., are such faculty considered “engaged in research”)?

Some additional context:

1. Such faculty will not have publication/authorship credit
2. The faculty will be given a stipend from the federal grant
3. The faculty will not be involved in designing the study, nor analyzing data

What if such faculty were interviewed/completed a survey about their impression of the new course so that they are now research participants. Would that make a difference as to the question whether they are engaged (i.e., is it possible to both be engaged in research and also be a research participant)?

We have taken note of these current guidance documents: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/guidance/guidance-on-engagement-of-institutions/index.html and  https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/guidance/engagement-of-survey-firms/index.html and the proposed new standard from SACHRP A New Interpretation of the “Engaged in Research” Standard | HHS.gov but we would appreciate any insight you can share.

Thank you!