Protecting the Teaching and Learning Environment: A Hybrid Model for Human Subject Research Public Policy Implementation

• Published in: The journal of research administration Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 26 - 36
• Main Author: Hottenstein, Kristi N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Society of Research Administrators, Inc 22.09.2017; Society of Research Administrators; Society of Research Administrators International
• Subjects: Academic freedom; Case Studies; College students; Colleges & universities; Education policy; Educational Environment; Educational Practices; Federal Regulation; Government regulation; Higher education; Human beings; Human subjects; Humans; Laws, regulations and rules; Learner Engagement; Learning; Man; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Program Implementation; Public Policy; Research Administration; Researchers; Review boards; School environment; Schools; Scope of practice; Semi Structured Interviews; Social policy; Student participation; Student Research; Undergraduate Students; Undergraduate Study; United States; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 1539-1590; 2573-7104

Regulations for research involving human subjects have long been a critical issue in higher education. Federal public policy for research involving human subjects impacts institutions of higher education by requiring all federally funded research to be passed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Undergraduate research is no exception. Given the literature on the benefits of undergraduate research to students, faculty, and institutions, how human subject research public policy is being implemented at the undergraduate level was a significant gap in the literature because how these public policies are implemented impacts undergraduate research. This qualitative, single-case study examined the human subject research policies and practices of a selective, Mid-western, Council on Undergraduate Research institution. The purpose of the study was to determine how this institution implemented human subject research public policy to benefit its students. This institution used a hybrid approach of public policy implementation that met federal requirements while capitalizing on the role local actors can play in the implementation process. This model resulted in a student-friendly implementation emphasizing various learning outcomes and student mentoring. Although there is considerable research and public discussion on the negative aspects of IRBs, if approached in a manner that embraces student learning, the IRB experience can be an extremely beneficial aspect of the institution's learning environment.