External Research Requests

Overview

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans School of Nursing (LSUHSC-NO SON) maintains a formal policy and procedure governing requests from individuals not affiliated with LSUHSC-NO or LSUHSC-NO SON who wish to conduct research and/or collect data involving the School of Nursing.
This ensures the protection of our community and compliance with regulatory, ethical, and institutional standards.

The policy applies to the following circumstances:

1. Requests from individuals not affiliated with LSUHNO SON to conduct research or collect data involving SON faculty, students, and/or staff
2. Requests from individuals not affiliated with LSUHNO SON to access or use existing SON databases or records
   • FERPA-protected educational records cannot be released unless permitted by federal law.

Policy Summary

Any request from individuals not affiliated with LSUHNO SON to conduct research or collect data involving SON personnel or institutional records must undergo review by:

• The Office of Nursing Research, Scholarship & Science (ONRSS)
• The Administrative Council

The review process assesses:

• Regulatory and IRB compliance
• Human subject protection measures
• Feasibility and logistical considerations
• Potential conflicts of interest
• Priority and alignment with the SON Strategic Plan
• Consistency with LSUHNO Chancellor’s policies and LSU System policies

No research activity may begin until the full review and approval process is complete.

Procedure for External Research Requests

1. Point of Contact

All external research inquiries must be directed to:

Associate Dean for Nursing Research, Scholarship & Science
Office of Nursing Research, Scholarship & Science (ONRSS)

This individual manages the review process and serves as the SON liaison if the project is approved.

2. Required Submission Materials

External researchers or graduate students must submit the following:

• • Study abstract
  • Full research proposal
  • Tools, surveys, questionnaires, or data‑collection instruments
  • Consent or assent forms
  • IRB approval or exemption letter from their IRB of record
    • Must include the Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) number
  • Proof of human subjects protection training, such as CITI certification

Failure to provide any required materials—and especially the IRB approval or exemption letter—disallows any research activity.
Incomplete packets cannot be reviewed.

3. ONRSS Review

The Associate Dean for ONRSS will:

• • Review all submitted materials
  • Contact the investigator to clarify SON involvement
  • Determine how data will be collected with minimal disruption to SON operations
  • Confirm alignment with LSUHNO Chancellor’s Policies and LSU System Policies

4. Presentation to Administrative Council

After review, ONRSS will:

• • Present the proposal at the next Administrative Council meeting
  • Provide a recommendation based on regulatory compliance, feasibility, and alignment with SON priorities
  • Identify whether LSUHNO SON should be listed as a research site

5. Administrative Council Decision

The Administrative Council will:

• • Discuss the proposal’s acceptability, feasibility, and logistical considerations
  • Vote to approve or deny the research request

This step determines whether the research/data collection may proceed at SON.

6. Communication with the Researcher

Following the vote:

• • The Associate Dean for ONRSS will notify the external investigator(s) of the final decision
  • If approved, the Associate Dean serves as the official SON liaison throughout the project

7. Final Results Requirement

The LSUHNO School of Nursing requires a copy of all final results from any externally conducted research project approved through this process.

Questions or Submissions

For assistance or to submit a research request, contact:

Mary Dioise Ramos, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN

Associate Dean for Nursing Research, Scholarship and Science
Email: mramo1@lsuhsc.edu
Phone # 504-568-4122