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Research is a world of discovery. 

This section includes information on collecting and analyzing data, staying in compliance with university, state, and federal policies, and writing scientific papers. As you carry out your research, you should continue to review the topics on this page.

Collecting & Analyzing Data/Information

Using Qualtrics Survey Software

Qualtrics is an cloud-based platform for creating and distributing web-based surveys. It is the recommended and supported tool for conducting electronic research surveys at ºÚÁÏÍø.

ºÚÁÏÍø maintains a site-wide license for Qualtrics. All ºÚÁÏÍø faculty, staff, and students can access Qualtrics by navigating to  and logging in with their ºÚÁÏÍø username and password. Many pay-only features of other commercial survey software are available automatically to ºÚÁÏÍø Qualtrics users.

Qualtrics How-tos:

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Qualtrics Training

Statistical Consulting offers Qualtrics Basics and Qualtrics Intermediate workshops during the Fall and Spring semesters through the Tech Help Training program at the library.

Finding Data Sets

There are many databases you can use to locate and obtain secondary data. University Libraries provides a guide with links to a large number of datasets and repositories, including a list arranged by subject area.

Data Cleaning & Visualization

University Libraries has faculty and staff who specialize in different types of data analysis software. They can advise you on choosing and using the right software tools to prepare, visualize, and analyze your data.

Data Security

Data security controls are intended to prevent unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, inspection, recording or destruction of data. Failure to implement data security controls could result in increased risk to subjects.

University Libraries provides a detailed guide on meeting data security requirements, including protected health information (HIPAA compliance), personal identifying information, and sensitive information.

Guide to SPSS Statistical Software

University Libraries provides an online guide with written and illustrated tutorials for the statistical software SPSS. This guide includes an introduction to the SPSS environment as well as tutorials on accessing SPSS, working with data, exploring the data, and analyzing the data.

Statistical Consulting & Qualitative Software Support

CNR Statistician

Statistical consulting is offered one day a week to nursing faculty and students by Lynette Phillips, Ph.D., MSPH, on a weekly basis at the Center for Nursing Research located in 349 Henderson Hall.

Contact: Lynette Phillips at 330-672-6324 or lphill20@kent.edu. You can also schedule a meeting with Lynette here.

Schedule a meeting with Lynette Phillips 

University Libraries' Statistical Consulting Office

Additional assistance is available through the which provides one-on-one statistical and qualitative software consulting services to all ºÚÁÏÍø faculty, staff and student researchers at any stage of the research process.

Assistance is available M-F by appointment in Room 812, University Library. Group instruction and online tutorials on a variety of statistical software packages are also available.

Meet with a Librarian: Personalized Research Assistance

Meet with a Librarian appointments provide personalized research assistance. During an appointment, you’ll meet with a librarian specializing in your subject area who will help you identify and locate informational resources (like scholarly journal articles, data sets, or primary sources). Appointments are scheduled for one hour. Students and researchers should arrive on time to take advantage of the full hour of consultation time.

To schedule a Meet with a Librarian appointment (students & faculty):

• based on the subject of your research
• to schedule a meeting time and place
• Request an appointment at least three (3) days in advance
• Provide all pertinent information about your assignment and/or research

Research Compliance

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Before you implement research that involves the use of human subjects, your project must be reviewed and approved by the ºÚÁÏÍø Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is responsible for ensuring that the research adequately protects the rights and welfare of study participants. The activities of the IRB are coordinated and administered by the Office of Research Compliance (ORC).

IRB contacts:

• Dr. Amy Petrinec, Interim Associate Dean, Associate Professor for Nursing, 330-672-7930, apetrine@kent.edu
• Dr. Yafen Wang, Associate Professor of Nursing, 330-672-7930, ywang95@kent.edu

Approval Timelines & IRB Process | IRB Forms | Required Training | Meeting Dates, Deadlines & Reviewers | IRB Help

Conflict of Interest Training

All investigators supported by Public Health Service (PHS) funding, including funding from the National Institutes of Health, are required to complete CITI FCOI training.

Learn more about CITI training »

Training for Responsible Conduct of Research

All undergraduate students, graduate assistants and postdoctoral fellows supported by National Science Foundation funding must complete CITI RCR training.

Learn more about CITI training »

Other Compliance Subjects: Research Involving Animals and Lab Safety Training

Research Involving Animals

Before beginning research, testing, or teaching activities that involve the use of live vertebrate animals, the principal investigator must receive approval from ºÚÁÏÍø Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Lab Safety Training

All faculty, principal investigators, staff, students and volunteers who will be working in a research laboratory must complete safety training before beginning their lab research.

Learn more about Lab Safety & Register for Training »

Writing Scientific Papers

Manuscript Writing & Editorial Assistance

The Center for Nursing Research can assist faculty and students in writing and editing manuscripts. CNR will not provide manuscript assistance for class assignments.

Contact: Amy Petrinec, Ph.D., RN, Interim Associate Dean, Associate Professor at 330-672-8766 or apetrine@kent.edu

Citation Use & Management

Using and managing citations can be challenging, especially as a research project becomes more complex and incorporates more external sources. The provides links to information about various citation styles and other resources that may assist users with the writing process.

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Using Copyrighted Materials

University Policy

Please review the University Policy Regarding Use of Copyright-Protected Works (Policy Register 3-10).

Library Guide on Copyright Resources

The Copyright Resources guide by University Libraries provides important information on obtaining permission from copyright holders, as well as copyright law, best practices, public domain and fair use.

Copyright Services

University Libraries' Copyright Services department provides the following services for current faculty, staff, and students:

• Research and clearance services for third-party copyrighted materials for use in a variety of projects and endeavors, including:
  • Teaching and learning
  • Presentations and poster sessions
  • Publication in books, dissertations, journal articles, multimedia, and other projects
  • Institutional repositories, including the UL Digital Commons
• Instructional sessions for faculty, staff, and students.
• Informational responses to copyright and licensing questions.

Please note that none of the information or links provided can be substituted for the advice of an attorney.

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