In reading Philippa's and Jo-Anne's responses to Linda's query, I
realize how fortunate we are here at Purdue vis-a-vis human subjects
regulations. We don't need to apply for exemption or approval from the
Purdue IRB for class research/writing projects that are part of our
curriculum, even if they involve outside clients. It would certainly
complicate the issue if we did have to do that each time.
On the other hand, in a graduate seminar on Professional Writing Theory
that I teach here, I have students each undertake genre-focused field
research in a local organization, and I encourage them to think in terms
of publishing their results in a journal in
professional/business/technical writing. (Students only take this
approach if they feel inclined to do so; any students who don't want to
pursue publication, don't need to.) In this case, where the students are
aiming to publish their research, they *do* need to apply to the IRB for
"human subjects" exemption or approval. Last time I taught the seminar I
shepherded six students though the IRB process. In a nice ironic touch,
one of the students decided to do her field research on the IRB and the
"human sujects" application process, involving the other five students
as informants in her research as well as me and the co-chair of the IRB.
Graham
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Graham Smart Office phone: (765) 494-3773
Assistant Professor Office fax: (765) 494-3780
Purdue University Home phone: (765) 583-0674
Department of English Home fax: (765) 583-0674
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www.hungersite.com
www.freedonation.com
www.sierraclub.orginds of assignments is the need to go through our
> faculty research ethics committee since they involve "research with human
> subjects"; still, I think it's worth the effort.
>
> Jo-Anne Andre
> University of Calgary
>
> Linda Schofield wrote:
>
> > Do you (or does anyone you know) use field work exercises in your business
> > communication courses?
> >
> > I have recently completed a pilot analytical report-writing course at
> > Ryerson University that centred around a single question about written
> > communication in the workplace. As part of my ongoing research I am
> > trying to determine to what extent field work is used to teach business
> > communication by instructors at post-secondary institutions in North
> > America. That is, do instructors have their students conduct qualitative
> > or quantitative primary research, such as interviewing, experiments and
> > surveying? If so, how does this research fit into the
> > course structure, and what are the perceived benefits of using this
> > approach? Do respond as well (giving reasons) if you have stopped using, or
> > have deliberately chosen not to use field work.
> >
> > You can reply to me at my academic address ([log in to unmask]).
> > I look forward to your responses.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Linda
> >
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