Social Science

Expedited Review Guidelines

The National Park Service (NPS) sponsors social science surveys of the public to provide park managers with information needed for park planning and management. Various review processes and research permits apply to surveys conducted, funded, or sponsored by the NPS, and to independent research conducted in parks. The Social Science Research page outlines some of these processes and contains relevant background information.

The following information pertains to the expedited review process and is intended to give principal investigators and park managers, who are preparing to submit or have submitted social science studies, information regarding the process.

Preparing a submission for expedited review:

The information presented below is intended to answer frequently asked questions regarding the expedited review process.
Please note: The information presented below is outlined in more detail in the Guidelines and Submission Form for Expedited Review for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys, Focus Groups and Field Experiments (revised, June 2006), which can be downloaded (in PDF format, 386k).

Does my study need OMB approval?

OMB approval is required of all NPS-sponsored information collections when ten or more individuals are being asked the same question(s). NPS-sponsorship of a study is not limited to financial support, but rather includes any involvement in a study that could give the impression of NPS-sponsorship (such as in-kind support, surveying help, involvement in instrument development, etc). All studies (focus groups, surveys, interviews, etc.) involving the public require OMB approval; studies of NPS employees (while on duty) or studies in which information is collected about people solely through observation are exempt from the review process.

Does my study qualify for expedited review?

The program of expedited review applies to NPS-sponsored surveys designed to furnish useful knowledge to NPS managers and planners. Questions asked under the expedited review must show a clear tie to NPS management and planning needs. The expedited review may only be used for non-controversial surveys that are unlikely to attract or include topics of significant public interest in the review process. Investigators who are unsure if a study qualifies under the expedited review are strongly encouraged to contact the Social Science Program for clarification early in the planning process.

The program of expedited review is limited to three specific segments of the public—park visitors, potential park visitors, and residents of communities near parks. To qualify for the expedited approval, all questions in a survey must fit within one or more of the approved topic areas and must be approved by the NPS and OMB. These topic areas are outlined within the Guidelines and Submission Form for Expedited Review (386k) . Please remember, when submitting a study, that each question within the designed information collection instrument must include the corresponding topic area number and label.

Once it's determined that your study qualifies under "Programmatic Approval for NPS-Sponsored Surveys," you must prepare a submission package, which includes filling out the expedited review form (425k) and attaching your data collection instrument, as well as all relevant supporting materials (e.g. introductory scripts, non-response logs, photos, maps, etc.). Remember to read the instructions for preparing expedited submissions, as presented in the Guidelines and Submission Form for Expedited Review (386k), carefully.

Please Note: Qualifying survey submissions for review under the "Programmatic Approval for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys" must be submitted to the NPS Social Science Program a minimum of 60 days prior to the first day the survey is to be administered in the field. There tend to be an increased number of submissions during the months of May, June, and July. During these busy months, survey review and approval may be somewhat delayed. Please plan accordingly and get submissions in as early as possible.

Important Reminders :

• All supporting materials must be included in a submission. A submission package is not complete (and cannot be reviewed) unless it contains all materials relevant to the study (including a completed expedited review form, scripts, PRA compliance sections, questions with relevant topic areas, non-response logs, photos, etc).
• Expected response rates require justification: Projected response rates for studies, as outlined within the expedited review form, must be based on response rates from previous studies of a similar nature. For example, if a study is being done of day hikers at Yosemite National Park, the projected response rate should be a realistic estimate based upon other studies done with hikers at Yosemite or a similar park. These previous study response rates must be cited within the expedited form.

Expedited Review Materials and Information for Download

Social Science Surveys and Interviews in the National Parks and for the National Park Service: A Guide to NPS and OMB Approvals (483k)

Guidelines and Submission Form for Expedited Review for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys, Focus Groups and Field Experiments (386k)

Expedited Review Form (425k)

The NPS Social Science Program has prepared sample Paperwork Reduction Act Compliance Statements that are appropriate for inclusion in various types of information collection activities. These samples are available for download.