If you wish to use an existing instrument, you must secure permission from the author of the use the instrument. You must also have written permission to modify an instrument. Instrument permissions may be obtained at any point in the dissertation process (prior to data collection), but it is recommended that you wait until you've entering into dissertation, have a mentor, and have discussed with your mentor the appropriateness of the instrument. Some instrument authors may wish to more in-depth information about your proposed study, which will mean sending them a copy of your SMR form. For this reason, you may need to wait until SMR has been approved by your committee.

Site permissions must be dated within 6 months of your IRB submission. For this reason, we recommend that obtain official permission during school review of your Research Plan or SMART form. However, you should explore feasibility early on in your dissertation process. These conversations are informal to gauge feasibility.

Additionally, permission to use existing data letters must be dated within 6 months of submission to the IRB. You are required to have any contract or agreement to use the data reviewed by Capella prior to signature. If you need an agreement reviewed email Dissertation Support to facilitate this review. You should have these agreements reviewed as early as possible to ensure they can be signed. However, signature should be delayed until you are close to IRB submission.