Research
1. Purpose
Research is a fundamental part of academic discovery at Brigham Young University–Hawaii (“BYU–Hawaii” or “university”). This policy emphasizes that BYU–Hawaii supports research and creative works, consistent with its institutional and legal limitations.
2. Policy
Faculty and students are to pursue scholarly research and creative endeavors. Because of a limited amount of research support and infrastructure, the university restricts entering into federal contracts and subcontracts, research that requires export control, and certain research with animals. If, as a result of research and creative endeavors, new intellectual property is created, this policy defines ownership.
3. Implementations
3.1 Research Restrictions
3.1.1 Sponsored Projects
The university does not maintain a sponsored projects office and does not authorize extramural sponsored research. BYU–Hawaii does not accept federal research funds in any way. Faculty may work as a co-principal investigator as long as the university is not designated as a subcontractor nor receives federal funding. Any third-party requests related to research must be evaluated and approved by the President’s Council.
3.1.2 Consulting
A faculty member may act as a paid, personal consultant. Working as a personal consultant requires prior authorization with one’s dean and disclosure following the Conflict of Interest policy. When a faculty member is acting as a consultant, the university is not obligated nor party to any contract. The university is neither liable nor responsible for any consulting arrangements, including any related performance issues, utilization of third-party property, observations, or consequent damages. The name of the university shall not be used in the consulting services, in any advertising, or in any other way.
3.1.3 Export Control and Other Restrictions
BYU–Hawaii conducts only research that is openly published, avoiding any work that is classified or controlled for national security reasons. The university’s broadly international student body provides significant challenges to managing export-controlled data. The university’s research must be exempt from export controls to ensure compliance with Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
3.1.4 Research Involving Plants and Animals
Principle investigators are responsible for researching and acquiring the necessary permits, from all appropriate agencies, before engaging in research. The university does not maintain an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and does not permit research that would require one.
3.2 Human Research
Human Subjects Research, including student research and surveys must be reviewed and approved by BYU–Hawaii’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). See the Institutional & Survey Research policy.
3.3 Required Use of Personal Works
Conflicts of interest may occur when an individual seeks to use their own personal work as required material in a course for which he or she has responsibility. An individual who desires to use their own personal work, such as textbooks, as required course material, required to purchase for the course that they teach, or otherwise have responsibility for, must have written approval from their dean (or in the case of a dean, the academic vice president) and complete a conflict of interest disclosure before listing the course material.