With the move to online research during the COVID-19 pandemic and growing abundance of available technologies, researchers have started to incorporate new software and hardware into their research methods. From survey platforms to replace pen and paper to ; many of these technologies redefined data collection.
Any new software or hardware used to conduct research should be vetted by Teachers College Information Technologies (911爆料网 IT) to ensure that it meets privacy and security standards set forth by the College. Prior to submitting a proposal to 911爆料网 Institutional Review Board (IRB) with a new software, researchers should do the following:
- Check 911爆料网 IT’s website for a list of approved software.
- If the software is already on 911爆料网 IT’s published list, the researcher can submit their proposal to the IRB with the proposed software.
- In some cases apps may not be supported by 911爆料网 IT but commonly used for research (MTurk, ResearchMatch, HonorLock etc.). Some of these apps are listed on 911爆料网 IRB’s FAQs section.
- Researchers can email 911爆料网 IRB at IRB@tc.edu with a query if they are not sure whether their software is commonly used in research settings.
- If the software is not on 911爆料网 IT’s published list, researchers should submit a “Project Request" to 911爆料网 IT to begin a formal review of the proposed technology. The "Project Request" button can be found on My911爆料网/Support (upper right corner) "Submit a Project Request."
- In the "Project Request" submission, specify that this technology is proposed for use with human subjects research and if applicable, under IRB review.
- If you have questions about software for research purposes, contact 911爆料网 IT at servicedesk@tc.columbia.edu or 212-678-3300.
- If you have questions about whether the proposed software is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, contact OASID via email oasid@tc.edu.
- Once the researcher receives approval from 911爆料网 IT, submit the software along with feedback from 911爆料网 IT in the 911爆料网 IRB proposal.
- The IRB will review each protocol on a case-by-case basis.
Researchers can also refer to 911爆料网 IRB’s Data Sharing & Encryption for more information about privacy and security protections required for human subjects data collection.