The Research and Data (RAD) team in the Office of the University Registrar offers support to faculty and staff with studies of teaching and learning, especially when using institutional data. Examples of these support services include but are not limited to the following:

  • Survey design or creation: Assistance with developing or programming a survey instrument (e.g., Qualtrics, Kuali).
  • Survey or methodology consultation: Consultation on an existing survey design, question wording, or research methodology.
  • Survey sampling or participant recruitment: Help identifying or drawing a study population for survey distribution.
  • Consent process support: Guidance or management of the informed‑consent process (e.g., drafting consent language, obtaining approval).
  • Honest broker services: De‑identification or secure release of data by a neutral party in compliance with FERPA and data governance policies.
  • Data storage: Data management on secure protected network drive.
  • IRB submission support: Guidance preparing sections of Institutional Review Board documentation. 

Please submit the data and research request form to inquire about support. A team member will follow up within 48 hours to schedule a consultation meeting. General questions can be directed to: our-data@duke.edu.

What is an honest broker?

An honest broker is a neutral third party who is independent of the research team. This individual or system has legitimate access to research data or records through their organizational role and is responsible for obtaining and de-identifying such materials before providing them to investigators. The use of an honest broker and the specific data request must be approved by the IRB before any data can be shared.

An honest broker is not part of the research team. The honest broker cannot be one of the investigators, study coordinators, or statisticians on the study, and cannot serve as a co-author on any related publication.

Do I have to use the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) as an honest broker?

OUR will not share University records with a third party. If you do not plan to use University data in your study of teaching and/or student learning, then you do not need to use OUR as an honest broker.

After you submit a data and research request form, a team member will follow up within 48 hours to schedule a consultation meeting. After the consultation, if we mutually determine that the project is appropriate for support, we’ll develop a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to finalize together. The MOU will include:

  • Deliverables: The specific outputs or services we’ll provide.
  • Proposed Timelines: Key milestones and deadlines for project activities.
  • Roles and Responsibilities: Expectations for both your team and ours.
  • Stipulations: Any conditions, data use agreements, or confidentiality requirements.

The draft MOU will be shared for your review and input. Together, we’ll refine and approve the document to ensure mutual understanding and agreement before work begins. Once the MOU is signed, our team will begin work on the agreed deliverables according to the established plan and timeline.

The OUR Research and Data Team frequently collaborates with other university offices to ensure that research projects are supported responsibly, efficiently, and in compliance with institutional policies.

Collaboration with Data-Holding Offices

For projects that require access to data owned or maintained by other university units—such as the Office of Institutional Research, Student Affairs, or Faculty Affairs—the OUR Research and Data Team will coordinate with these offices to confirm data ownership, sharing protocols, and access permissions. 

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Consultation

If your project involves human subjects data or any information that could be considered sensitive, you will need to consult with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before data collection or analysis begins. The IRB ensures that all research activities comply with ethical standards and federal regulations. The OUR Research and Data Team can help you determine whether your project requires IRB review and guide you through the submission process, if applicable.

Research Analytics and Presentation Support

If your work requires additional expertise in data analysis, visualization, or presentation of research findings, you are encouraged to engage with one of the following campus partners:

Together, these partners form a comprehensive network of research support across the university. Depending on your project’s scope and needs, the OUR Research and Data Team may facilitate introductions or collaborative efforts to ensure you receive the specialized assistance necessary for successful project completion.