Rules, Procedures, and Policies Governing the DESE Subject Pool

This document includes information on rules, procedures, and policies that affect researchers and the treatment of human subjects when using the Department of Special Education Subject Pool (DESE Subject Pool). It is essential that all researchers and graduate students read and understand this entire document prior to using the DESE Subject Pool.

Undergraduate students should read general information for students for a full explanation of policies and procedures governing completion of the RER requirement.

Who is in the subject pool?

The DESE Subject Pool of participants consists of all students enrolled in EEX 2091 Disability and Society or EEX 4070 Inclusive Education for General Educators. As part of their course requirements, these students are expected to earn between one and two Research Experience Requirements (RERs) while enrolled in the course. Like any other course requirement, these credits are factored into the students' final course grade (typically accounting for 3% to 5% of the grade).

Who has access to the subject pool?

Any DESE faculty member or graduate student may use this subject pool of participants. Undergraduate researchers may not use the subject pool, unless supervised by a DESE faculty member. All researchers must have their research protocols approved by the FAU Institutional Review Board (IRB) before being authorized to access the DESE Subject Pool. Researchers should register their study with the subject pool, and after registration approval, will have access to subjects. The registration process is facilitated by the Subject Pool Coordinator.

How do I gain access to the subject pool?

Studies must be registered with the Subject Pool Coordinator.

How do I register my study with the subject pool?

Researchers must register their study to be part of the subject pool, by completing the Subject Pool Reservation and Registration Request Form. For fall, spring, and summer semesters, the Subject Pool Reservation and Registration Request Form is due by noon of the Friday of the first week of classes. Researchers who miss this deadline cannot be guaranteed access to subjects.

During the first 11 weeks of each semester the subject pool operates on a reservation only basis. PI/Researchers (e.g. DESE faculty or DESE graduate students) who have not reserved subjects' time in advance will not be permitted to use the subject pool during this period. For weeks 12 through 15 the semester, the subject pool is open to any faculty member or graduate student from the DESE who wants to use it, no reservation needed. The subject pool closes each semester at the end of the last day of instruction. This means that no subjects may participate in a study after that time. Principal investigators must complete the form as well as other information. See below for details.

These completed materials will need to be submitted to the Subject Pool Coordinator by the deadline stated above:

The Subject Pool Coordinator can be reached at: desesubjectpool@fau.edu.

* All studies using the subject pool must have IRB approval, and participants must receive a written “debriefing” that describes the purpose of the study at a level that is appropriate for undergraduate students. Please note that this educational debriefing is required for subject pool participants, regardless of whether the IRB would require a debriefing for your particular study. The debriefing should link the purpose of the study to concepts typically covered in introductory special education courses, be approximately one typed page in length, and provide contact information in case the participant has questions. Generally, participants receive a written copy of the debriefing at completion of the study; exceptions to this must be approved in advance.

When will I know if my study has been accepted for the subject pool?

Once materials are on file with the Subject Pool Coordinator, approval normally takes no more than 48 hours.

Management of Studies

PIs/Researchers are responsible for managing studies. This includes creating the study, obtaining IRB approval, setting up time slots for participant sign up, reserving space/location where subject participation will take place, and recording participant credits and no-shows. This information is to be conveyed to the Subject Pool Coordinator via the study registration process.

Any number of researchers may be associated with a study, and all researchers associated with the study will have the same privileges for editing study information, managing timeslots, and recording credits/no-shows.

PI/Researchers may add time slots for ongoing approved studies at any point as long as subject hours remain in the PI/Researchers subject pool allotment. Study information may be edited at any time (for example, to add researchers) but if the study name, abstract, eligibility requirements, or intent change (requiring an IRB amendment), the study will need to be re-approved by the Subject Pool Coordinator before it is posted for student participation.

Recording Credits and No-Shows

Each PI/Researcher will have to develop a system to record student participation in a particular study. For example, a student may be issued a paper receipt or some other indication of participation (e.g. certificate of participation). The student may then return the paper receipt to the instructor. This should be explained clearly in the debriefing form. If a student fails to show up for a study, or shows up so late that he/she cannot participate, he/she will be considered a no-show and will forfeit the opportunity to participate for that day and time. Missing too many sessions may result in the student losing the opportunity to earn any RERs for that semester. Therefore, Each PI/Researcher is to report no-shows to the Subject Pool Coordinator within 48 hours of the event.

How do I access the subject pool?

PI/Researchers must complete specific activities to register a study with the subject pool to access student participants. Click here for additional information.