Institutional Review Board
Institutional Review Board
American College of Education accepts responsibility for ensuring the privacy, safety, health, and welfare of research participants are adequately protected. The College has established an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review and approve the adequacy of human subject protection.
This Board meets regularly to consider research proposals from members of the ACE community (faculty, staff, and students). The committee is also responsible for recommending and monitoring research-related training, including research ethics, for the ACE community.
External Requests
Unless a clear case can be made that the proposed research benefits the institution and/or its constituents, and outweighs any potential risk, no external researcher(s) making application to the ACE IRB for permission to study some aspect of the institution and/or its constituents will be permitted. The only possible exception would be independent research that potentially improves higher education in the nation and is entered into by many institutions of higher learning that will share those benefits. If such an application is received, it will be reviewed by IRB and ACE leadership.
Research Misconduct Policy
American College of Education does not tolerate research misconduct, and will start an inquiry if an allegation that satisfies the definition of research misconduct is reported. A formal investigation will follow the initial inquiry. The respondent will be found either in compliance or not in compliance of the charge, and if found not in compliance, may be permanently administratively dismissed from the College. Academic sanctions may include, but are not limited to, withdrawal from the associated course with a grade of F and/or a reduction of a grade in the course. Disciplinary sanctions may include, but not limited to, suspension for a specified period of time, permanent separation from the institution, and/or filing of criminal charges.
Research Conflict of Interest
American College of Education requires that all employees conduct the College’s affairs in accordance with high ethical standards. As a result, ACE does not allow any conflict of interest to occur in research. Financial interests related to research which must be reported include those received for personal financial benefit from the research sponsoring entity, as well as any equity ownership, any management positions, any ownership of intellectual property, licenses, and all financial interests and relationships with the sponsor of any research. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) will inspect each research proposal for possible conflict of interest (COI) and will make the final decision regarding the research. ACE researchers must abide by the COI requirements of any Federal agencies if the research is sponsored. Employees and students are expected to report any possible COI to the IRB. Each instance of suspected conflict of interest will be evaluated by the IRB. If the IRB determines that COI has occurred, a management plan described in the procedures below will be carried out.
Human Subjects Protection
American College of Education realizes it has responsibility for protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research at ACE. ACE also accepts responsibility for following the local, state and federal laws as they relate to the research. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) will review, approve, reject or require changes in research involving human subjects. For additional information, use the IRB Handbook.
Research Confidentiality of Information
American College of Education upholds the ethical guidelines regarding research studies. Any use of student records used in research, will comply with FERPA requirements and protect the confidentiality of all participants. ACE ensures that the information received from human subjects during research studies will be kept confidential and participants will be fully informed of their rights. For additional information, see the IRB Handbook.
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