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• Feasibility Checklist

Feasibility Checklist

We ask learners to spend a great deal of time thinking about the scientific merit and ethics of their research studies. An equally important question is whether the proposed study is feasible. The feasibility checklist is designed to help researchers and research supervisors assess the feasibility of proposed studies in order to ensure a design that is scientifically sound, ethical and realistic given existing constraints.

Funding

• Does the study require funding, and if so are funds available? Research costs may include travel, participant incentives, fee for use of meeting space, payment to research assistants (transcription, translation), participant support services (counseling, follow up care), photocopying, mailing, purchase of instruments or data analysis software, etc.

Site Permissions

• What site permissions are needed?
• Has the researcher spoken with potential sites to ascertain the process for securing permission and whether permission is likely?
• What are the challenges to obtaining approval at these sites?
• Do the sites have their own IRBs? Securing IRB approval from multiple IRBs requires additional time and coordination.
• Does the researcher intend to collect data at prisons, V.A. Hospitals, military bases, or international sites? Such sites may require additional reviews and approval processes.
• Does the researcher have existing relationships with potential participants that may pose a conflict of interest?

Timeline

• Does the researcher have realistic expectations relating to the time needed for processes such as conducting a field test, securing site permissions, obtaining IRB approval, conducting a pilot study, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data? Researchers sometimes underestimate how much time is needed to design, conduct and report research.

Instruments

• Are the instruments needed to conduct the study available?
• Is it possible to obtain permission to use the instruments or to purchase the instruments?
• If instruments are being modified or developed, is a field test (expert review) and/or pilot study necessary?

Participants

• Is the proposed sample size realistic?
• Are there any barriers to participation? These might include logistical barriers (costs/inconvenience of travel or daycare), barriers resulting from the topic (sensitive, not timely), or because participants may be over-targeted/saturated.
• Does the researcher have existing relationships with potential participants that may pose a conflict of interest?

Equipment/Space

• Does the researcher have access to supplies needed to conduct the study such as audio recorders, data analysis and management software or online survey tools?
• Does the researcher have access to space in which to conduct the research?

Expertise

• Does the researcher have the necessary expertise to conduct the study as designed?
• Does the research supervisor have the necessary expertise on the proposed topic to offer appropriate guidance and oversight?
• Does the researcher have sufficient expertise with the targeted population? Note this is especially important if the population is vulnerable.
• Is the researcher experienced with proposed methods of data collection and data analysis?
• Are any additional consultants needed (for example translators, counselors, transcriptionist) to provide expertise which the researcher may lack?