Proposal

irb.docx

University of Maryland

Human Subjects Approval Form

Date: Jan 28, 2016

Name of Proposer:

Email:

Phone:

Fax: NONE

Unit Representative:

Email:

Phone:

Fax: NONE

1. Title of Project: Interviews of Human Resources Subject Matter Experts (SMES)

2. Purpose of the Project: To obtain information regarding Walter Reed Hospital Human Resources rules, regulations, and practices regarding sexual harassment in the workplace in order to write a business proposal to Gen. Clark, Commander, Walter Reed Hospital

3. Survey Instruments or Data Collection Methodology:

A. Interview, focus group, questionnaire, or other? Interview of SMEs

B. Online, regular mail, face-to-face, or other? E-mail/Face to Face

C. Please attach a copy of each instrument. See the following attachments:

Appendix A Invitation

Appendix B Interview Questions

4. Research Design including population and sample, if applicable.

A. UMD Students, Staff, Faculty, or other? Other: HR SMEs at Walter Reed Hospital

B. Sample Size – N/A

C. What information will be collected (e.g. any potentially sensitive subjects such as drug use, etc)? No potentially sensitive subjects will be raised. All the questions will concern in-place HR information and training for the topic sexual harassment.

D. What data other than the respondents' answers will be sought (e.g. via access to UMD records)? None.

E. How will the privacy and confidentiality of the human subjects be recorded and stored? All interview notes will be stored on my computer to which no one else has access. I will not use an electronic recorder of any type; I will take notes by hand or via email.

F. How will the analysis protect the respondent's right to privacy (e.g., if less than five people are in a table cell, how will their identity remain anonymous)? The information gathered will be used to support my Senior Project Option 2 Business Proposal to Gen. Clark for supplemental sexual harassment training for hospital employees who interface with the public.

5. Signature Approvals

Instructor Approval

______I have determined that the proposed research involves minimal risk, is limited to two SME interviews, and is approved. If the invited personnel do not agree to the interviews, the alternate plan is approved original research that does not involve interactions with people.

Appendix A: Invitation

Dear ___________:

Please accept this invitation to an interview to help me understand Walter Reed Hospital Human Resources rules, regulations, and practices regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. I would appreciate it if you will share your expertise with me.

I need this information for my Communication Studies Capstone Class senior project. My senior project is to write a business proposal for additional sexual harassment training at Walter Reed Hospital. Conducting original research as part of this project is required for my project. The most effective research I could do is to interview you.

Our interview should take about 10-15 minutes.

I will not be using your name in the business proposal.

OR (your choice)

I will need your signature on the sheet of questions to use your name in my business proposal.

I see no possible harm that could come to you as a result of participating in this interview.

I can offer no compensation other than the good feelings of helping a college student understand how sexual harassment rules and regulations work at Walter Reed Hospital.

Please respond via email to let me know whether you will participate in an interview and when the best time, date, and method are for you. I can conduct interviews in person, by telephone, or by email. The working time frame is now through Friday, Feb 12. For a telephone call, I can be available between 1 PM – 8 PM on the weekdays.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance,

Appendix B: Interview Questions

Voluntary Participation Notice

Participants need to know that their voluntary efforts are appreciated, and that they may decline to participate in whole or in part for any reason or no reason at any time. They may terminate the interview without any negative consequences to themselves or the interviewer. If they are promised anything for their participation, they should receive that even if they cancel their interview.

Please sign the bottom of this list of questions if you agree that I may use your name and title in my project. If you prefer a pseudonym be used, please indicate that with your signature.

1. Do you understand that you may end this interview any time you wish for any reason or no reason?

2. Do you grant me permission to use your name, title, and position in my report for any quotes I might select?

3. What is your job title and how long have you worked in Human Resource?

4. What education or training have you received about sexual harassment in organizations?

5. Would you summarize the policies and required training about sexual harassment here at Walter Reed Hospital?

6. What are your thoughts about the issue of sexual harassment in workplaces and the future needs of Walter Reed Hospital?