Scope of Surveys

Surveys within the Scope of this Framework

Those responsible for initiating University surveys must seek advice from the HREC to determine if ethics approval is required.

Surveys within the scope of this framework include, but are not limited to:

• internal quality assurance surveys (eg surveys conducted for quality audit purposes, or by individual Schools, Branches, Faculties or Divisions in respect of learning and teaching, for the evaluation of staff, student or alumni perceptions of aspects of their experience of the University);
• surveys commissioned or sponsored by internal organisational units or external parties including individual University staff, Government departments or agencies, other external individuals or entities;
• internally sponsored market research surveys (eg surveys conducted with students and prospective students, graduates and alumni in relation to consumer behaviour and purchase intent);
• internal management surveys in respect of staff, student or alumni attitudes and opinions (eg satisfaction surveys, climate surveys, staff perceptions surveys); and
• other surveys where the University brand and reputation are at stake.

The Survey Reference Group has established the following guidelines as to which surveys require approval. These include proposed surveys of whole student/staff or alumni populations (even if sampled) and survey proposals of sub-groups which are also whole of population, such as:

• all international/domestic students
• all first year students
• all male staff/students
• all female staff/students
• all HDR students
• all UG students
• all postgraduate students

In addition, all survey proposals of University of Adelaide staff or student populations by external bodies should also be considered by the Survey Reference Group for approval.