Capella University requires researchers to secure site permission for research conducted at institutions and organizations. Examples of such institutions and organizations include universities, schools, clinics, businesses, non-profit organizations, charities, political organizations, religious organizations, clubs, hospitals, military organizations, and public service sector organizations. If you will be recruiting from a site, using a site’s non-publicly available data, or conducting other study related activities with that site, then you must secure site permission to conduct your research.

Site permissions are required prior to final IRB approval. It is highly recommended that you seek site permissions early on in your study planning. Note that you may not collect data from the site until after IRB approval.

Additionally, a site doesn’t only refer to a physical location or organization. If you are conducting research via the internet and intend to recruit participants from an organization or institution via email, website, or newsletter permission is still required.

Site letters are required to be printed on the site’s letterhead, dated within 6 months of IRB submission, and signed by the appropriate signatory.