Appendix D

Procedure for the Participation of Students and Employees in Research

1. Applicability: This procedure defines the standards and parameters for the involvement of students and employees in behavioral and social science research, and biomedical research. This procedure applies to: a) students recruited as subjects in instructor-initiated research, b) students recruited as subjects in doctoral student-initiated research, c) employees recruited for employer-initiated/sponsored research, and d) employees recruited for doctoral student-initiated research. Grand Canyon University (GCU) considers such individuals as vulnerable to coercion and, therefore, will apply additional safeguards to protect their rights and welfare (45 CFR 46.111(b)).

2. Procedure Statement: Grand Canyon University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) will ensure that all students and employees enrolled in research will be treated in a manner commensurate with their special status and that their participation in research will be ethical and in compliance with the federal regulations for the protection of human subjects, specifically 45 CFR 46.111(b).

   Students and employees recruited as research subjects are vulnerable to coercion because of the possibility that they may perceive grades, employment or other benefits as dependent upon their participation in research. Principal Investigators (PI) should be mindful of their ability to influence others when directly recruiting their own students/employees; as such individuals may feel pressure to participate because of their relationship with the PI.

   A student may not be compelled to participate in instructor-initiated research as part of a course requirement. Similarly, an employee may not be required to participate in employer-initiated research as a condition of employment. Grand Canyon University will not conduct or facilitate such employer-initiated research.

   Principal Investigators recruiting students in research will:

   1. Ensure that students know that they may choose not to participate in the research and that their decision will not affect their grade/class standing.
   2. Refrain from offering extra credit as compensation.
   3. Avoid using class time to recruit or engage in the research unless authorized by the course instructor, college and/or institution.
   4. Provide students with an equal alternative to participation, which should be comparable in terms of effort, time commitment.

   Principal Investigators recruiting employees in research will:

   1. Engage in recruitment and consent activities outside of the presence of the employee's supervisor(s).
   2. Ensure that employees know that they may choose not to participate in the research and that their decision will not affect their employment or performance evaluation.
   3. Ensure that all data given to the employer is either in the aggregate or is stripped of all identifiers so that the employee subject's identity is protected.
   4. Implement processes to avoid identifying employees who decline participation.
   5. When possible, conduct the research procedures out of sight of other employees. For example, surveys or questionnaires should be given to the employee subjects to complete online or complete offsite and mailed back to the investigators instead of asking all employee subjects to convene in a room on site, which would identify them to their superiors and co-workers as well as identify those who have chosen not to participate.