We had the same question come up in our IRB some time ago and it resurfaces
nearly every semester.  Our general rule of thumb is that if it is not
developing a body of new knowledge it is not research and generally, except
under unusual circumstances, assessment and/or evaluation is NOT research.
We don't review.

It can get murky but as you say, the idea of all those little assessment or
evaluation projects having to be reviewed could be a nightmare.  As it is,
we have a good amount of student research that does get reviewed, at least
to determine if it is exempt from further review!  We have developed some
coping strategies for these class projects that do help us, at least a bit
but it is still time consuming.

Mary

At 10:25 AM 12/15/99 -0600, Nancy Peterson sent a message saying:
*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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*
"It's not only what we do,
 but also what we do not do
 for which we are accountable."
 -- Moliere

Mary H. Watson, Ph.D.
Director, Grants and Contracts
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia

Phone:  912-333-7837
Fax:  912-245-3853

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