Survey Policy

Policy Statement

The Office of Institutional Resource and Strategic Analytics (IRSA) is tasked with coordinating and administering specific types of surveys, which are detailed in the policy below

Reason for Policy

The University survey policy:

• Ensures proper data collection and usage
• Protects respondents’ privacy
• Maintains information security
• Streamlines and coordinates survey timing to avoid survey fatigue and unauthorized surveys from being disseminated
• Promotes sound survey design, administration and communication

Who Is Governed by this Policy

The survey policy applies to all surveys administered by faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners as well as other University stakeholders that meet the policy criteria. The survey policy is approved by the Office of the Provost and is communicated to the Adelphi community through established channels and posted on the University platforms such as the IRSA webpage and the survey policy platform (see below for additional information).

Policy

Specific types of information gathering tools such as surveys (as well as questionnaires and feedback forms), including but not limited to web-based/online, email or paper forms require IRSA coordination or administration.

All surveys administered must meet applicable industry-wide standards (such as IRB, HIPAA and FERPA guidelines).

Types of surveys that require IRSA coordination or administration:

• University-sanctioned or mandated surveys (both internal and external) which gather information and data for institutional planning, improvement, accreditation and compliance.
• Surveys, questionnaires or feedback tools administered for purposes of gathering information or data from stakeholders regarding program, school or institutional effectiveness, assessment and rankings.

Types of surveys that don’t require IRSA coordination or administration:

• Surveys for instructional or learning purposes such as course, program or department assignments or for campus organizations, offices or division evaluations for a specific event or topic.
• Survey of external populations (not affiliated with the University) unless the gathered information will be used for assessment or accreditation purposes.

Procedures

IRSA staff can provide support in all aspects of understanding survey administration, communication, data analysis and reporting. We encourage everyone to contact the Office of Institutional Resource and Strategic Analytics at irsa@adelphi.edu or visit the IRSA website if you have any questions.

Definitions

Survey/ Questionnaire/ Feedback Form: An information gathering tool used to collect data for a specific purpose from a population being studied.

Forms

This policy does not have forms associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Related Information

Surveys Requiring Institutional Review Board Approval

Surveys dealing with the protection of human subjects must be in compliance with federal regulations. University policy requires approval of these surveys from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Obtaining IRB approval does not automatically ensure IRSA coordination or administration, and IRSA coordination or administration of a survey is not a substitute for a review and approval by the IRB. Before proceeding with any human subjects research, consult the IRB Office at irb@adelphi.edu and review the Adelphi University IRB Manual.

University-wide Survey Platform

Beginning in fall 2024, Adelphi procured a University-wide Qualtrics survey platform license. The goal of consolidating onto a university-wide license was to centralize and coordinate survey processes and procedures.

For more information about the University-wide Qualtrics license or faculty and staff accounts, please reach out to the IT Help Desk at helpdesk@adelphi.edu.

For more information about survey coordination or administration, please reach out to the Office of Institutional Resource and Strategic Analytics at irsa@adelphi.edu.

Document History

• Policy Origination Date: unknown
• Last Review Date: May 15, 2025
• Policy Reviewed by: Policy Owner
• Last Approval Date: May 15, 2025

Who Approved This Policy

Executive Leadership