Faculty Scholarship

1. Research and Scholarly Activities

1.1. General

The College of Health Science (CHS) encourages research and scholarly activities of the highest possible quality across the academic disciplines. Faculty members are evaluated in part by the Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee on their ability to demonstrate creative and productive work through published research and other scholarly activities.

1.2. Faculty Research Policies

Faculty members shall perform all research or research-related activities in accordance with federal and state law, University and school policies, and ethics codes that apply to the researcher or to the person's research. The University has adopted policies that specifically govern faculty research, including, for example, research involving human or animal subjects, and research funded by certain governmental agencies. Pepperdine faculty members and researchers are subject to the research policies, are responsible for knowing the provisions of the policies, and are responsible for ensuring that they comply with the policies and that others working with or for them, including students, comply with the policies.

The complete text of the policies is available on the Pepperdine University website.

1.2.1. Protection of Human Participants in Research

• 1.2.1.1. Institutional Review Board (IRB)
  
  
  1. It is the policy of Pepperdine University that all research involving human participants must be conducted in accordance with accepted ethical, federal, and professional standards for research and that all such research must be approved by one of the University's Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). These boards are charged with monitoring the ethical propriety of all research involving human participants/subjects conducted under the auspices of Pepperdine University. It is the policy of Pepperdine University that its IRBs have the authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove any research involving human participants/subjects conducted under Pepperdine's auspices.
  2. In the review and conduct of human subjects research, Pepperdine University is guided by the ethical principles set forth in the Belmont Report (i.e., respect for persons, beneficence, and justice). In addition, all human subjects research conducted by or under the auspices of Pepperdine University will be performed in accordance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (CFR), Title 45 Part 46 (45 CFR 46), entitled Protection of Human Subjects, and Parts 160 and 164, entitled Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information and the California Protection of Human Subjects in Medical Experimentation Act (Code Sections 24170 24179.5). Research conducted pre-2018 will be reviewed under 45 CFR 46, and any research implemented after January 21, 2019, will be reviewed under the new Revised Common Rule (NRCR). The delay of the NRCR transitioned the updates being called the "2018 Final Rule", which was published by DHHS on January 19, 2017, with no revisions since 1991, providing several revisions that offer clarification and reduce administrative burden. Where applicable, FDA regulations on human subjects research will be followed (CFR Title 21 Parts 50, 56, Protection of Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards). The actions of Pepperdine University will also conform to all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including tribal law passed by the official governing body of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe.
  3. The primary goal of the Pepperdine University IRBs is to protect the welfare and dignity of human participants. A secondary goal of the Pepperdine IRBs is to assist investigators in conducting ethical research that is in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations. Additionally, by addressing the human subjects concerns in an applicant's proposed research, the IRBs may protect investigators from engaging in potentially unethical research practices. Thus, when a faculty member, student, and/or employee of Pepperdine University wishes to conduct research involving human participants, her or his research proposal must be reviewed by one of the IRBs.
  4. Investigators seeking to conduct research with human participants should obtain a copy of Pepperdine University's Protection of Human Participants in Research: Policies and Procedures Manual from the IRB website's announcement page. The Protection of Human Participants in Research: Policies and Procedures Manual is a reference manual for investigators that outlines the policies, regulations, and procedures governing research with human participants/subjects, and the requirements for submitting research proposals for review by the Pepperdine University Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). This manual describes the application and review process, as well as applicable regulatory requirements. It is important for investigators to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the contents of this manual, and complete the required educational components before submitting proposals to the appropriate IRB. Copies of all policy documents, application forms, and other human subjects' protection materials may be obtained from the IRB website. Investigators are encouraged to contact their IRB chairperson with any questions.
  5. Before initiating any research project that seeks to obtain data from human participants (including the use of archival data), investigators must obtain written approval from the appropriate Pepperdine IRB.
     
     For more information on Human Resource Policies, please visit the Policies and Procedures page on Human Resources' website.
• 1.2.1.2. University Privacy Practices
  
  The formal notice of Pepperdine University's privacy practices as described in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and regulations promulgated thereunder, commonly known as HIPAA, are found on the Office of the Provost's website.
  
  HIPAA Policies and Procedures
  
  
  1. General Policy
     
     Pepperdine University is committed to protecting the privacy of individual health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the regulations promulgated thereunder. These policies and procedures apply to protected health information created, acquired, or maintained by the designated covered components of the University after April 14, 2003. The statements in this handbook represent the University's general operating policies and procedures. For further details regarding these policies and procedures see 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164.
  2. Scope
     
     Pepperdine University is a hybrid entity as defined in 45 C.F.R. §164.103 and includes both covered and non-covered components. These policies and procedures apply only to the University's designated covered components, which include:
     
     
     • Student Health Center;
     • Athletic Training Center;
     • Student Counseling Center;
     • Boone Center for the Family
     • Pepperdine Psychology and Education Clinic;
     • Pepperdine Community Counseling Centers;
     • Pepperdine Resource, Youth, Diversion, and Education (PRYDE);
     • Pepperdine Union Rescue Clinic;
     • Office of Student Accessibility; and
     • Human Resources.
  3. Certain administrative and/or support offices may also be designated as covered components.
     
     The designated covered components may not share protected health information with the non-covered components of the University, unless specifically permitted by the privacy regulations. It is the responsibility of each designated covered component to assure that their employees, students, volunteers, etc. comply with these policies and procedures. A designated covered component may develop and incorporate additional policies and procedures if doing so is necessary and appropriate to comply with more stringent state laws. However, a designated covered component may not delete sections of these policies and procedures without first consulting the Privacy Official or the Security Official.
• Pepperdine University's HIPAA Policies, Procedures, and Forms Manual is found on the Office of the Provost's website.
• 1.2.1.3. Animal Subject Research
  
  Pepperdine University's animal subject research procedures and resources are available on the IACUC website.
• 1.2.1.4. Allegations Regarding Research Misconduct
  
  Guidelines for responding to allegations of scientific misconduct for research supported by or seeking support from the US Public Health Service are posted on the Office of the Provost's website.
• 1.2.1.5. Patents and Copyrights
  
  Copyrightable materials which are developed by University personnel within the course of employment or which are developed with the use of University funds or facilities shall be the property of the University. Every invention or discovery or part thereof that results from research or other activities carried out at the University or that is developed with the aid of the University's facilities, staff, or through funds administered by the University, shall be the property of the University. As a condition of employment or enrollment and attendance, every invention or discovery shall be assigned to the University.
  
  Pepperdine University's policy on copyrightable materials, patents, and inventions is found on the Office of the Provost's website.

1.3. Internal Resources

As resources permit, the University provides space, funds, and facilities for faculty research programs. Faculty members are encouraged to seek internal support for research through the sabbatical leave process and by applying for internal funding, if available, from the CHS and University. University funded programs in support of faculty scholarship are published on the Provost's website.

1.4. External Funding for Research

Faculty members are encouraged to seek support for research activities from funding sources external to the University. Such grants, particularly those from federal and state agencies, often contain requirements for University participation in the form of matching funds, reassignment of faculty time, etc. In applying for grants, faculty members should, in consultation with their school dean or program director, and the associate provost for research, grants, and foundation relations, take into account the time commitments required by the proposed project, and the effect that approval and funding of the project will have on the University budget. Regardless of the source of funding, University policy requires the reporting and reconciliation of all expenditures.

1.4.1. Research, Grants, and Foundation Relations

The Office of Research, Grants, and Foundation Relations (RGFR) is Pepperdine University's central office for extramural funding relations, grant development and submission, post-award administration, and research compliance at the University. RGFR works closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students on efforts related to:

• Extramural Grants (includes public and private funders, foundation and corporate partnerships, and federal agencies)
• Internal Research Grants
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The mission of RGFR is to promote academic excellence through the facilitation of philanthropy and external support. Funding partnerships include but are not limited to:

• Programmatic initiatives
• Student support through scholarships and graduate fellowships
• Faculty research
• Infrastructure enhancements to educational and research facilities

Through RGFR's comprehensive development, fiscal, and administrative services and oversight of the University's pursuit, acquisition, and administration of extramural grants from public and private agencies, our team is committed to growing the educational and research enterprise to realize the strategic goals and objectives of Pepperdine 2030: Ascend Together.

RGFR is located in TAC 336 and can be reached at 310-506-4819 or through its website.