IRB Application for Research on Leadership Styles

Indiana Tech Institutional Review Board Application INDIANA TECH INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD APPLICATION FOR INITIAL REVIEW OF RESEARCH USING HUMAN SUBJECTS Class (Day or CPS)/Campus Office Does this particular project continue every semester and/or year: No Project Title: Leadership Styles used to Promote Organizational Success Electronic signature of Principal Investigator Directions: You need to answer the following questions. Conflict of Interest: (Please check) Investigators do___ do not__X___ have a real or potential conflict of interest.

Please indicate whether this research should be exempt or non-exempt from further human subjects review and indicate which of the six exemption reasons (Section A) justifies an exemption status. This research is exempt under Category 2 of exemption categories. This is primarily because the study involves the use survey procedures on a group of consenting adults. 3. Please attach a copy of your responses to items 1-7 of the instructions (Section B), including all related documents, such as questionnaires, interview questions, surveys, etc. that you will hand out to participants. 4.

If you are only going to be doing a survey, please provide a copy of the survey with the following statement: YOUR COMPLETION OF THIS SURVEY IMPLIES CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS RESEARCH. You do not need to provide a Sample of Informed Consent (Attachment C) unless you are going to be doing something more than a survey. 5. Please provide a copy of Sample of Letter to do Research at a Specific Location (Attachment D) Attachments: A. Exemption Categories B. Non-exemption materials C. Sample copy of Informed Consent D.

Sample of copy of Sample of Letter to do Research at a Specific Location Additional reference material about this process can be found in the companion site "Additional Information about the IRB Process." " SECTION A EXEMPTION CATEGORIES 1. Research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices, such as (a) research on regular and special education instructional strategies, or (b) research on the effectiveness or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods. 2.

Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public behavior, unless: (a) information obtained is recorded in such a manner that human subjects can be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects; and (b) any disclosure of the human subjects' responses outside the research could reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects' financial standing, employability, or reputation. 3.

Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures, or observation of public behavior that is not exempt under paragraph (2) if: (a) the human subjects are elected or appointed public officials or candidates for public office; or (b) the research is conducted for the Department of Justice under Federal statute 42 U.S.C. 3789g, or for the National Center for Education Statistics under Federal statute 20 U.S.C. 12213-1, which provide certain legal protections and requirements for confidentiality. 4.

Research involving the collection or study of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are publicly available or if the information is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that subjects cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects. 5.

Research and demonstration projects which are conducted by or subject to the approval of department or agency heads, and which are designed to study, evaluate, or otherwise examine: (a) public benefit or service programs; (b) procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs; (c) possible changes in or alternatives to those programs or procedures; or (d) possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs. 6.

Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies, if (a) wholesome foods without additives are consumed or (b) a food is consumed that contains a food ingredient at or below the level and for a use found to be safe, or agricultural chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the level found to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

NOTE: These exemption categories do not apply to research involving prisoners, fetuses, or pregnant women. Exemption category #2 for research involving survey or interview procedures or observation of public behavior, does not apply to research with children, except for research involving observations of public behavior when the investigator(s) does not participate in the activities being observed. SECTION B Please provide the following information, taking care to provide the information in a way that will be intelligible to non-specialists in your specific subject area. 1.

Abstract: Provide an abstract (200 words) that describes the purpose of this research and summarizes the strategies used to protect human subjects. Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive are two largest companies in the consumer goods industry across the world. The companies operate in different business segments where they have experienced tremendous success and profitability throughout the years. However, research on the profitability and success of these firms has largely been centered on their business practices and operations with little focus on the leadership styles utilized by their management.

Given their tremendous success and productivity in the same industry, this study examines if there are differences in leadership styles used by each of the firm's management. Participants in this study will be selected randomly and subjected to a paper survey. Since these participants will include leaders and members from the companies, they will not be requested to disclose their name or the name of the company they work for.

The researcher targets to have a high number of participants to help enhance the accuracy of the results and credibility of the research process. The high number of participants means that individual identities of study participants can be submerged in the entire survey process. These measures will be undertaken to help protect human subjects in the study and help generate accurate findings and interpretations. 2. Subject selection: a.

Who will be the subjects? How will you enlist their participation? If you plan to advertise for subjects, please include a copy of the advertisement. The study participants will be leaders and member (employees) from Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive. These individuals will be required to volunteer in the research process. They will be enlisted in the study through personal contact by the Principal Investigator either through a personal visit to their workplace or through a phone call. b.

Will the subjects be selected for any specific characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race, ethnic origin, religion, or any social or economic qualifications)? There are no specific characteristics for the human subjects except the fact that they should be members of the companies either in a management position or paid employees. c. State why the selection will be made on the basis or bases given in 2(b).

The researcher will use leaders and members (employees) in these companies because the use of leaders in the study will help determine the leadership approach or style they utilize while employees will provide insights on their perception and effectiveness of the leadership style. 3. Procedures: What precisely will be done to the subjects? Explain in detail your methods and procedures in terms of what will be done to subjects. If you are using a questionnaire or handout, please include a copy within each set of application documents.

The human subjects will be required to complete a survey comprising 10 questions. The estimated time for completion of this survey is 10 minutes. 4. Risks and Benefits: Are there any risks to the subjects? If so, what are these risks? What potential benefits will accrue to justify taking these risks? There are no legal, reputational or other risks to the participants involved in the research or survey. Since participants will not be required to identify themselves, the study findings or results will not be linked to individual participants. 5.

Confidentiality: Adequate provisions must be made to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain confidentiality of identifiable information. Explain how your procedures accomplish this objective, including such information as the means of data storage, data location and duration, description of persons with access to the data, and method of destroying the data when completed. As previously indicated, the participants will not have a means to identify themselves, the company they work for or their leaders/supervisors.

In order to maintain confidentiality, information obtained from the survey will be filed and stored in a lockable cabinet whose key will only be in the investigator's possession. These files will be shredded at least 30 days after completion of the survey. 6. Information and Consent Forms: State specifically what information will be provided to the subjects about the investigation. Is any of this information deceptive? State how the subjects' informed consent will be obtained.

The sample consent form set forth in Section C of this application may be used as a guide. Include a final draft of the consent form that you propose to utilize. Consent forms should be limited to one page, whether letter or legal size; if longer, please add a signature and date line to each page and number of pages, e.g., "1 of 2," "2 of 2." Please allow a 2-inch bottom margin to accommodate the IRB approval stamp. Include a description of how data storage methods ensure confidentiality within the consent form.

The participants will be informed of the following, "Jennessa Clark, a student at Indiana Institute of Technology, is requesting your help in completing a research on leadership styles. The survey will be utilized as part of her Applied Management project and organizational leadership course. The survey will request you to offer answers to several questions about leadership characteristics and style regarding your or your supervisor's management approach. You will not be asked to identify yourself or identify your employer.

The results of this survey will be utilized and may be published for research purposes only." 7. Conflict of Interest: Describe the potential conflict of interest, including how such a conflict would affect the level of risk to the study participants. The researcher or investigator has undertaken all necessary measures to avoid conflicts of interest in order to enhance the objectivity and integrity of the research. More importantly, the researcher will not ask participants to reveal their identity in order to eliminate the likelihood of conflict of interest.

Typical supporting documents include: consent forms, letters sent to recruit participants, questionnaires completed by participants, and any other material germane to human subjects review. SECTION C Sample of Letter to do Research at a Specific Location If you are going to be doing research off campus, you must provide a copy of a signed from indicating that you have permission from the appropriate supervisor or administrator of the location, for instance a principal or company supervisor.

Identification of Project / Title Leadership Styles used to Promote Organizational Success Purpose The purpose of this research is to examine differences in leadership styles that are used by Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive to promote their success and profitability. Procedures The participants will be required to complete a survey comprising 10 questions. Confidentiality All information collected in this study is confidential to the extent permitted by law.

I understand that the data I provide will be grouped with data others provide for reporting and presentation and that my name will not be used. Risks There are no known risks for participating in this study. Benefits, Freedom to Withdraw, & Ability to Ask Questions The experiment is not designed to help me personally, but to help the investigator learn more about leadership styles and approaches used in the organization to enhance success and profitability.

I am free to ask questions or withdraw from participation at any time and without penalty. Contact Information Of Investigators -- , 546 Hill Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46855, *** , and. Statement of permission to allow this research on these premises I give permission to allow Indiana Tech to proceed with the above named research at ___ location. NAME OF SUPERVISOR Leadership Styles' Questionnaire General Instructions Jennessa Clark, a student at Indiana Institute of Technology, is requesting your help in completing a research on leadership styles. The survey will be utilized as part of her.