The IRRC is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of human research participants. It ensures that all research conducted under the institution’s jurisdiction complies with ethical standards and federal regulations, specifically 45 CFR 46, also known as the Common Rule.

Under the Common Rule (45 CFR 46), which governs human subjects research in the United States and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), research is defined as “A systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” Not all activities that involve collecting data, interviewing people, or analyzing information are considered “research” under federal regulations. According to the Common Rule, an activity is not considered research if it does not aim to produce generalizable knowledge—that is, if it is not meant to apply beyond the specific classroom, campus, or program.

Anyone planning to conduct research involving ACC human subjects (faculty, staff, or students) must submit their project for research review before beginning data collection, which includes surveys, interviews, experiments, and secondary data analysis, including identifiable private information. Exceptions to this requirement include internal ACC faculty and staff conducting classroom exercises, surveys, and projects at ACC that inform ACC processes and are not intended for publication.

IRRC oversight is guided primarily by:

  • 45 CFR 46 – Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations for the protection of human subjects
  • The Belmont Report – Ethical principles and guidelines for research involving human subjects
  • Institutional policies that may further protect research participants (see below)

IRRC oversight is guided by ACC Administrative Rule 1.0601.01: Academic and Student Affairs Council, Board Policy Reference: AFA, Institutional Effectiveness, Performance, and Institutional Reports.

To be considered complete, your IRRC submission must include:

  • A complete application form
  • A detailed research protocol describing your study’s purpose, methods, and participant protections
  • Copies of informed consent documents
  • All data collection instruments (surveys, interview questions, etc.)
  • If you are not a full-time ACC faculty or staff member or if you are pursuing doctoral research external to your role as a full-time ACC faculty or staff member, you must submit a signed liaison form confirming a full-time ACC faculty or staff member’s oversight of your research (see Guidelines for Liaisons). Please note that it is the researcher’s responsibility to identify and secure an ACC liaison for their research. 

See the IRRC review process for more information. Incomplete applications will delay the review process.

The typical review period is 1 month from the time a complete application is received. The timing of the determination will vary based on the completeness of the application, ACC schedule, the current number of proposals under evaluation, and other factors. Determinations for some applications involving complex protocols, requiring input from specialized resources, and/or full committee review, may take longer. Researchers should not begin the participant recruitment or data collection process until they have received their official IRRC determination. However, they may work on other aspects of their research while waiting. Please plan accordingly.

Depending on the level of risk to participants, your research may undergo:

  • Exempt Review – For minimal risk projects that fall into specific exemption categories under 45 CFR 46.104
  • Expedited Review – For minimal risk projects reviewed by one or more IRB members under 45 CFR 46.110
  • Full Committee Review – For projects involving more than minimal risk or vulnerable populations

The IRRC has the authority to approve, require modifications, or deny research involving human subjects within the ACC community, regardless of funding source. Decisions of the IRRC are final. Researchers will be informed in writing via email the determination of the IRRC. 

For approved proposals, researchers must do the following:

  • Sign the Research statement within one week of receipt 
  • Keep their ACC Liaison apprised of their progress 
  • Report any adverse events or unanticipated problems
  • Submit modifications for any changes to the protocol to the IRRC
  • Submit a closure report to the IRRC once the research is complete
  • Complete the research within one year or submit a continuing review to the IRRC

Data requests for research conducted or sponsored on behalf of ACC can be submitted to the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics via the data request process found at https://oira.austincc.edu/data-and-reports/data-service-request/.  

Data requests for research by internal researchers not conducted or sponsored on behalf of ACC or those from external researchers should be submitted via an Open Records Request to the Office of College Relations & Marketing. Instructions for submitting a request can be found here:  Open Records Requests | College Relations & Marketing

Requests for data for research conducted/sponsored on behalf of ACC can be submitted to the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics via the data request process found here: https://oira.austincc.edu/data-and-reports/data-service-request/.

Requests for data for research by internal researchers not conducted/sponsored on behalf of ACC or those from external researchers should be submitted via an Open Records Request to the Office of College Relations & Marketing. Instructions for submitting a request can be found here: https://offices.austincc.edu/college-relations-and-marketing/open-records-requests/

No, the college does not issue site approval letters. Once a research proposal has been reviewed and approved, the Institutional Research Review Committee (IRRC) will issue a Research Approval Letter, signed by the IRRC Chair.

If a researcher wishes to conduct research at a specific campus after receiving IRRC approval— by using campus  rooms for interviews and focus groups  or to post flyers for participant recruitment—they must contact the Campus Manager’s Office at that location. The Campus Manager is responsible for:

  • Approving and coordinating use of campus space
  • Advising on appropriate locations for flyer distribution 

All on-site research activities and recruitment efforts must be coordinated directly with the Campus Manager to ensure they align with campus operations and guidelines.