At the University of Iowa, administrative surveys and questionnaires are occasionally used to gather information that supports university operations, strategic planning, and accreditation activities.
Administrative surveys or questionnaires that meet the criteria below must be reviewed and approved by the Administrative Survey Panel before distribution.
- Are directed to respondents in more than one college or administrative unit, and
- Are not related to research subject to IRB review
Reviews typically require three to 10 working days, depending on the survey's content, complexity, and level of review required.
Submitting Materials for Review
Submit the following materials to either the associate provost for faculty or the chief human resources officer, who serve as review panel co-chairs:
- A brief description of the survey's purpose and intended use
- The survey or questionnaire instrument
- Any communications, instructions, or materials that will accompany the survey when distributed
Materials should be submitted electronically whenever possible. Electronic submission is preferred.
Applicability
This process does not apply to surveys conducted by a college, department, or program that are directed solely to its own students, faculty, or staff for internal planning or operational purposes.
Review Levels
Level 1
Typically involves an annual survey/questionnaire that has been approved as a Level 2 or Level 3 survey/questionnaire in a previous year. The co-chairs shall send an announcement to members of the review panel detailing the following:
- Survey/questionnaire purpose
- Sample size and status of targeted respondents
- Anticipated distribution date
No feedback is requested from the review panel at Level 1.
Level 2
Typically involves a new survey/questionnaire that the co-chairs have evaluated as straightforward and approved. The co-chairs shall send an announcement with the survey/questionnaire instrument requesting feedback within five working days. Feedback from the review panel at Level 2 is sent directly to the sponsor of the survey/questionnaire.
Level 3
Typically involves a new survey/questionnaire that the co-chairs have evaluated as raising issues for discussion either in content or format. The co-chairs shall send an announcement with the survey/questionnaire instrument requiring feedback within 10 working days. Feedback at Level 3 is sent directly to the co-chairs.
Review Timeline
Following receipt of materials for review by the associate provost for faculty or the chief human resources officer, survey/questionnaire sponsors should plan on the following timeframes for the process to be completed by the review panel.
- Level 1: Three working days
- Level 2: Five working days
- Level 3: Ten working days
See also: Policy Manual