Managing Surveys

Survey Framework Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)

The University undertakes or participates in numerous surveys involving its students, staff and alumni, as well as community and employer groups. The University acknowledges the importance of evidence-based decision making that is assisted through the collection and analysis of survey data. However, there are a number of significant issues that arise in undertaking survey activity that are important to acknowledge, address and manage through an appropriate framework.

The Survey Framework has been established to ensure that surveys conducted in the name of the University of Adelaide:

• are of a consistently high standard;
• do not duplicate data collection conducted through other University surveys;
• do not compromise population samples through the overlap of surveys;
• do not over-survey the University's core stakeholders; and
• are disseminated and utilised appropriately.

Adherence to this framework will ensure that the University will be provided with robust data and analysis for its quality assurance, benchmarking and continuous improvement purposes. The Survey Framework will be implemented during 2009.

A Survey Approval Process Flowchart has been created to assist with the approval of surveys.

Those responsible for initiating University surveys must seek advice from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) to determine if ethics approval is required. The Survey Framework does not replace the role of the Research Ethics and Compliance Unit.