Classroom Research Policy
This policy outlines important information for UM-Dearborn instructors and students regarding work with human subjects, data collection, and responsible conduct in research.
Use of Human Subjects and Data Collection
In support of its teaching mission, the University encourages novel and innovative classroom activities. Some faculty design class assignments that involve questionnaires, interviews, or other interactions with individuals, such as those commonly used in research methods courses.
Instructors and students should review the full policy on Class Assignments & IRB Approval posted by the University’s Research Ethics & Compliance, which addresses whether and when such assignments should be reviewed by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to ensure the protection of human subjects.
This policy stems from a memo dated December 6, 2004 to all University of Michigan faculty from the Provosts and the Vice President for Research. The purpose of this policy is to:
- Clarify when student class assignments fall under the jurisdiction of the IRB
- Underscore the instructor's obligations to consider and mitigate potential risks to individuals even when the class assignments are not under IRB jurisdiction
This policy applies to student class assignments only. Please review the policy for the Student Class Assignment Definition.
Student class assignments that are intended to collect information systematically with the intent to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge (e.g., publish or disseminate data) meet the federal regulatory definition of "research." These class assignments fall under the jurisdiction of the IRB and require IRB application, approval and oversight. Instructors wishing to use such assignments must apply to the appropriate IRB for review and approval of these assignments before they begin.
Some types of student research projects involve collecting information from people, but do not meet the regulatory definition of IRB-regulated research, such as oral history interviews, biography or other journalistic interviews, or collecting information about organizations and not individuals. For these projects, it is best practice to check with the IRB for a determination regarding whether IRB review is necessary. To ask a question about human research protections at U-M, please send a message to [email protected].
Responsible Conduct In Research Training Requirement
Instructors and students must also review the University policy on training for responsible conduct in research, which states that “all persons engaged in research and scholarship, including faculty, postdocs/fellows, students, and staff, shall complete the PEERRS-RCRS online course.”
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen the culture of ethical research and integrity across U-M, all employees and students engaged in research and scholarship are required to complete an updated RCRS course, which is part of the Program for Education and Evaluation in Responsible Research and Scholarship (PEERRS) and is designed to meet federal and institutional requirements. This requirement applies to all U-M employees and students engaged in any facet of research and scholarship, regardless of internal or external support.
For a description of activities to which this policy applies, review the RCRS policy.
Questions related to UM-Dearborn classroom research can be directed to [email protected].
Policy owned by: Office of Research
Last reviewed date: 9/2024
Last updated date: 9/2024
Next review date: 8/29/2026