College of Doctoral Studies # Committee on Research **Hinrich Eylers**, Vice Provost for the College of Doctoral Studies **Rodney Luster**, Sr. Director of Research Strategy, Innovation, and Development, and Committee on Research (COR) Administrator **Kimberly Underwood**, Chair for the Center for Organizational Wellness, Engagement and Belonging, COR Reviewer                                           **Mansureh Kebritchi**, Chair for the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research, COR Reviewer Researchers interested in conducting research on or with UOPX samples, topics, or data must submit an application to the Committee on Research (COR). The committee was established in 2009 and its initial mission has remained the same regarding inquiries to access UOPX populations and or data for research purposes, however, the application process was revised in accord with the growth of the University as an institution engaged in applied research, and to accommodate researchers in a better aligned and more efficient way. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is COR like IRB? No. Approval from COR IS NOT about approving the feasibility of your study, BUT more so, whether your study is conducive to the surveying of existing internal UOPX populations, and if so, about such approval for surveying as it concerns_students_,_staff_,_faculty_, or_alumni_of the university.  ### Who oversees the Committee on Research? Members:The Committee on Research is led by Chair, Dr. Rodney Luster, Director of Research Communications and Chair of the Center for Leadership Studies and Organizational Research.  Committee members include all active University Research Center Chairs and a representative from UOPX legal as needed.  Additional internal stakeholders when required, may also asked to provide insight and/or guidance.     Contact:Review the FAQs before emailing.  For all other questions regarding COR, email the support inbox at: [rodney.luster@phoenix.edu](mailto:rodney.luster@phoenix.edu).   ### What do you mean by the University of Phoenix as a subject? In general, UOPX is a subject when we have a targeted sample within our population that matches your study population (e.g., online education undergraduates) or you are examining a research question related to UOPX environments, practices, or classrooms (e.g., how does an online learning tool increase online learning outcomes).  We are also interested in research that can contribute insight into to our overall mission and vision. ### Does COR approve proposals for large samples? Sample sizes are method-dependent and should be based on your data analysis requirements, note a 100% response rate is not assumed. To protect our constituents from oversampling and to improve yield, we do not recommendpopulation-widesampling requests. Please work with your site permissions contact [respective Deans, faculty or student supervisors] to define parameters that are both realistic and appropriate for the intended study population. ### Does COR approve proposals for convenience samples? Convenience samples are sometimes accepted but keep in mind they are hard to support logistically and raise concerns about generalizability. You must have a clear rationale for selecting UOPX as a sampling site that aligns with your research problem.  Although we are a large online university and our constituents are diverse, sometimes a study is more likely to be declined when UOPX becomes the sole data collection site and the sample is not unique to us.  In rare cases, a convenience sample might be approved if the research problem and questions have a clear and direct benefit to the University or if the study demonstrates an exceptional contribution to the field.   ### Why is an approval from COR important? An approval from COR demonstrates University of Phoenix’s approval and support of research on the University. It is a prerequisite for most Internal Review Boards’ approval in order to demonstrate site permissions.  COR approval must be obtained before data collection or sharing can begin. ### Who is required to complete an application? Any researcher, internal or external to the University, using the University of Phoenix as a subject (i.e. using UOPX students, faculty, staff, or data) for their research must submit a formal request to the Committee on Research (COR) for approval. ### When do I submit an application? Applications are permissable all year. We encourage all researchers to complete an application as soon as the research questions have been developed and UOPX has been identified as a feasible topic, sampling site, or data source.  If the researcher is internal to UOPX they need to have an accepted COR study plan prior to IRB submission; if external to UOPX it will be at the discretion of the overseeing IRB board for when site permissions need to be submitted.  ### Does COR send my survey for me? No. COR does not send or assist with sampling populations in any way. COR does not provide bridging communications to department leads, so it is up to the researcher tolocateandreach outto those respective departments that govern such access and coordinate survey deployment. As well, department heads have the right to decide not to allow for such surveying of their respective populations they oversee, nor allow access to other UOPX information should they so choose. In such cases, researchers must reconfigure their target population or seek sampling elsewhere. ### If I want to study something that does not involve the University of Phoenix should I still submit a COR application? No, if you are NOT using University of Phoenix students, faculty, staff, or data in your study, you should proceed directly to IRB for study approval. ### Who do I contact to learn about existing data available for research? Secondary data analysis is difficult if you are not staff at the Univerity, due to demands in accessing and cleaning the data.  However, there are two options.  Review the University Research Centers, identify one that is related to your research area, and contact the center chair.  You can also reach out to us at[rodney.luster@phoenix.edu](mailto:rodney.luster@phoenix.edu).  We can discuss your needs and network to find what is available. ### What are site permissions? Site permissions identify who at the University can access the data or sample that you need to complete your study, and the process in place to be able to complete the data collection.  If UOPX personnel who oversee sample or data decline to participate as a research site, or if you are unable to develop a manageable data collection plan, you will need to redesign your study. ### Do I need to submit a study plan? In the past, the study plan was part of a two-step process, but, it is no longer required as part of the review process. However, you should aggregate the necessary materials for your study should it be requested by COR or IRB and have it saved where you can access them easily. Such documents will only serve to inform your application. Good study plan docments to have on hand: - Your iteration of data collection instruments (e.g., surveys, interview schedule/questionnaire, and so on). If you are requesting existing data, outline the surveys used to collect the data as best you can.   - Any recruitment materials, informed consent forms, study materials, or other materials which support the proposed research - Letter of support from the personnel at UOPX that will be managing your site permissions during data collection.  In addition, depending on the nature of your project, the following documentation should also be kept on hand: - If your project requires IRB approval from other institutions or organizations, you may be asked to include their letter of approval or conditional approval.  - For dissertation research, you may be aslkd to submit a letter of support from your dissertation committee chair (if non-UOPX student, a copy of your proposal approval) and QRM approval (Part 2) - For UOPX employees seeking to publish research that occurred as part of their normal responsibilities, a letter of support from your manager shoud be kept on hand. ### Are reviews of my application confidential? Yes, they are not publicly shared and feedback will be returned. However, several internal stakeholders will review each submission. ### After I submit my COR application, how long will it take before I receive an answer? Processing usualy takes 1-3 weeks, depending on staff demands.  ### How will I be notified about the status of my COR application? You will receive an automated notice at the email address that you provided in your application.  ### If my application was approved, how soon can I begin conducting my research? Following COR approval, research should not begin until the University of Phoenix Institutional Review Board (IRB) has approved your study.  ### What are some of the more common reasons for the denial of a submission? Common reasons for denial include mismatch between study needs and UOPX availability, inability to share requested data or gather necessary permissions, concerns about current sampling demands on population of interest, lack of rationale for UOPX or for impact on the literature, the study not being in the best interest of the University, convenience sampling, and a poor/unimproved design.  Poorly designed studies typically result in incomplete applications, poorly written or confusing language, demonstration of a bias and/or uninformed assumptions, a poorly framed topic; omitting important data collection instruments; lack of clear discussion about data privacy and protection; and/or poor alignment within the studies sampling and method design. ### What is the current policy on resubmission? How soon can I apply again? If a project is denied by the committee, applicants may still reapply only if recommended by COR based on doable modifications to the application. ### What does COR not approve? COR exists to provide approval permissions for researchers seeking to use internal UOPX populations [students, faculty, staff] and internal data necessary for research. What we DO NOT grant approval for is: - The use of third-party software to be used and, or permissions for such. - The_feasibility_of a study [you must explore feasibility and interests with other departments separately before coming to COR] Additionally, students should be aware that_feasibility_is a dissertation process unrelated to COR. - Site permissions [we approve the opportunity for this but site permissions remain part of your process for contacting appropriate deans, etc.     ### External institutions seeking to conduct research with UOPX At the University of Phoenix, we prioritize research that_supports our mission_,_protects our community_, and meets our_institutional standards for academic integrity and ethical oversight_. As such, we do not typically accept research proposals or participation requests from individuals unaffiliated with the University: this includes requests to interview_faculty, staff,_or_students_, or to access_internal data_or_communities_for dissertation or research purposes. This policy ensuresalignmentwith our internal research priorities, safeguards the privacy and well-being of our academic community, and upholds compliance with our IRB and Committee on Research (COR) processes. If you are part of an accredited academic institution and believe your research may offer exceptional institutional value or fall under a formal partnership agreement, please[contact](mailto:rodney.luster@phoenix.edu)the COR Chair directly-Dr. Rodney Luster. These exceptions are rare and considered only through formal internal review procedures. ### Who do I contact for dispensing my survey to students/staff/faculty population? ### Recruiting and Surveying Research Participants from UOPX Colleges If your research team intends to recruit participants from UOPX colleges, please follow the procedures outlined below and include them in your IRB application. Step 1: Secure Required Approvals 1. COR Approval    Obtain approval from the Committee of Research ([COR](https://www.phoenix.edu/research/committee-on-research.html)). 2. College Dean’s Approval    - Send the dean a research summary (200–250 words) that includes:      • Research Title      • Purpose      • Target Population      • Justification for conducting the study at UOPX and within the selected College      • Significance and potential benefits of the study for UOPX    - Finalize your recruitment invitation letter, ensuring it includes a link to your survey. 3. IRB Approval    Secure approval from the Institutional Review Board ([IRB](https://irbnet.org/release/home.html)). 4. Legal Approval    Submit materials for legal review. (See Appendix A for details.) Step 2: Recruitment Process Once COR, IRB, and legal approvals are complete: - CDS Students, Alumni, and Faculty   Contact Dean John Ramirez at john.ramirez@phoenix.edu. - Faculty of Colleges Other than CDS   Submit your recruitment request through the internal communications portal:[Internal Communications - Home](https://apolloedu.sharepoint.com/sites/InternalCommunications)(staff credentials required). - Students and Alumni of Colleges Other than CDS   Work with the Marketing Department, which will distribute your invitation letter to the target population. (See Appendix B for details.)   For questions, contact Jennifer Allmon at Jennifer.Allmon@phoenix.edu. Appendix A: Legal Approval Process - Submission Requirements  All research recruitment materials must be submitted for Legal Review through LogicGate. If incentives are offered, they must also be              approved by Ethics, Compliance, and Data Privacy. - Submission Process   1. Submit using the Marketing Survey Submission Form: https://uopx.logicgate.com/steps/f6CSaeLB?token=SMuKBvytqmTRRRlQjzBidiMITDeJRnfW   2. Provide a summary that outlines:      • Research objectives      • Survey location and access method (e.g., email, MyPhoenix, etc.)   3. Expand the form sections as needed and upload attachments in the MSS Documents section.   4. If incentives are offered, submit details for review here:[https://apolloedu.sharepoint.com/sites/EthicsCompliance/SitePages/ActivityandGiftRequest.aspx](https://apolloedu.sharepoint.com/sites/EthicsCompliance/SitePages/ActivityandGiftRequest.aspx) Appendix B: Marketing Team Coordination To request distribution of your recruitment invitation: - Primary Contacts   • Rachel Taraski (rachel.taraski@phoenix.edu)   • Michelle Moran (michelle.moran@phoenix.edu) - Information to Provide   • Audience groups and number of survey links (if multiple are needed)   • Number of planned email distributions (e.g., initial invite and reminders)   • Audience list size and availability date (lists must have no filters applied)   • Whether you will use the pre-approved transactional email template (provide a copy after Legal review)   • Anticipated dates for providing survey links to the Email Team ## Additional details COR is simply a potential first gate, as IRB may be required. What an approval from COR does do is to provide the researcher with a review and confirmation that the research population or data concerning UOPX is available and the research study is aligned with the University and has been approved from this aspect of the process.**COR does not approve feasibility of studies**, use of third party software or site permissions, or access to populations. COR simply assists with initial permission for local UOPX population samples and data from UOPX.   A COR review examines three key aspects of the study: - Rationale for the inquiry regarding the use of internal UOPX human capital, student populations, and other requests for internal data, - Oversampling or research area saturation based on current projects at the University, - the benefit of the study to the University, including alignment to current initiatives and research agendas. Additional Important Details: COR does not manage data collection. The researcher is responsible for working to secure site permissions and contacting the staff who oversee the necessary population sample or data set, who have the right to choose to decline participation in your study. --- ## How to apply [COR Application](https://forms.office.com/r/H3yzHzg2mj) Applications move through Microsoft Forms. You may follow the link provided here to access the application. Applications are reviewed in order of receipt and may take some time to review if there are questions or fields that don't explicitly and clearly define the response adequately enough.