Research Committee

Research Committee

 

1. This committee will develop and periodically review guidelines for evaluating research proposals requesting access to AMCB data.

2. The committee will conduct a survey of the "face validity" of the national certification examination, known as the Task Analysis of Midwifery Practice. A new Task Analysis should begin within 5 years of the publication of the prior Task Analysis.

3. The committee will conduct internal research relevant to the mission of the corporation.

4. The Chair of this committee is responsible for:

a. recommending committee members for appointment to the Board of Directors.

b. delivering a short, written report for each AMCB Board of Directors meeting and the President as requested.

  A. Task Analysis

 

1. The research committee will conduct a survey of the face validity of the national certification examination.

a. The survey should include a random sampling of 25% of all candidates who sat the examination in the interval since the previous survey.

b. It should consider any relevant policy, position or clinical practice statement used by ACNM and other relevant professional organizations since the previous task analysis.

c. The survey should contain items which will determine those persons' perceptions of the relevancy of examination content to those knowledge and skill competencies which are encompassed in the practice of midwifery.

d. The survey may also include questions that address candidate's perceptions of issues related to exam format and administration, and other issues that are of timely importance to AMCB.

e. As a guide, a new Task Analysis should begin within 5 years after publication of the prior task analysis.

 

B. Internal Research

1. Research committee will prepare a list of all ongoing research and the frequency with which it is to be conducted.

2. Committee will prepare annual report for BOD approval summarizing previous year's research and projecting efforts, with priorities for the next year.

3. When an AMCB committee submits a proposal for research, the proposal shall be reviewed by the Chair of the committee, one uninvolved member of the Research Committee and the Chair of any affected committee. If appropriate, the committee may request an outside expert review. The Chair will then submit the request to the BOD and make recommendations.

 

Proposals should include the following:

a. Introduction and rationale

b. Objectives

c. Methodology and materials

d. Time schedule

e. Measures to protect the security of the examination or the privacy of the applicants/candidates

f. Budget

 

C. External Research

 

Research proposals should relate to the mission of the AMCB: to protect and serve the public by providing the certification standard for individuals educated in the profession of midwifery.

 

1. Approval Process

a. Proposal is submitted to Research Committee Chair and should include:

 

1. Introduction / rationale / significance

2. Objectives / Aims

3. Methodology and materials, including a copy of all materials for distribution (cover letter, surveys, e-mails, etc.)

4. Human subjects protection and measures to protect privacy of applicants / candidates, including proof of IRB approval

5. Time schedule

6. Specific data or access requested from AMCB, including a clear rationale for why use of AMCB data is being sought and how the research relates to the mission of the AMCB

7. Curriculum vitae of the researcher(s)

b. All student research proposals must be accompanied by a cover letter from the sponsoring faculty who will be the co-investigator

 

c. Proposal is reviewed by Chair of Research Committee, one uninvolved member of the Research Committee and Chair of any affected committee

 

d. If appropriate, the committee may request an outside expert review

 

e. Proposal is submitted to the Executive Committee for final approval

 

f. Researcher should allow a minimum of 3-4 weeks for completion of the review process

 

g. Researcher(s) must sign a memo of agreement that names will not be shared with any other persons and the lists of names will be used only as approved by the AMCB BOD.

 

h. Email distribution lists will not be released. Access to AMCB certificant names will only be available through the AMCB office which will distribute all materials. Where regular mail materials are being distributed, the researcher will be sent the labels for one-time use.

 

i. The only certificant names that will be released for research purposes are those certificants who have given prior approval.

 

j. An electronic summary of study results should be forwarded to the Research Committee Chair upon study completion.

 

Fees may apply.