Request to Conduct Research

Request to Conduct Research 

Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) and its colleges, Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College, welcome external research that helps us better understand and support student success, improve programs and services, and strengthen the communities we serve. Research projects should align with our mission and strategic priorities.

Before beginning any research activities, researchers must complete and submit the Request for Approval to Conduct Research Form for review. Research proposals should clearly describe the purpose of the study, employ sound research methods, and demonstrate how the findings will contribute to education, student success, or a positive impact on the community.

We are committed to protecting the privacy, rights, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. All research involving human participants or institutional data must adhere to ethical research standards and applicable privacy requirements. Researchers must provide documentation of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or an official exemption determination, along with supporting materials such as survey instruments, interview protocols, consent forms, or other relevant documents to expedite the review process.

Researchers are expected to follow all district and college policies, procedures, and guidelines throughout the project. Once a project is approved, researchers must work closely with their assigned district or college faculty/staff liaison and follow established procedures related to communication, participant recruitment, data collection, scheduling, and reporting. The district reserves the right to approve, modify, or decline research requests to ensure that research activities are conducted responsibly and in a manner that supports the best interests of our students, employees, and institutions.