Marshall University IRB

Approved on: 9/29/26

Sutdy number: 2475317

Survey Link: https://marshall.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cC3oHApEqP1EG4m

You are invited to participate in a research project entitled “Faculty Challenges in Teaching Foundational and Technical Knowledge Units in NSA Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Programs.” The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of faculty and program leaders at National Security Agency Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NSA CAE-CD) designated institutions regarding challenges associated with teaching Foundational and Technical Knowledge Units (KUs), including instructional, curricular, and institutional barriers. The study is being conducted by Billy G. Gardner Jr., Student Investigator, from Marshall University under the supervision of Principal Investigator Dr. Kimberly McFall, Committee Chairperson. This research is being conducted as part of the dissertation requirements for Billy G. Gardner Jr. and has been approved by the Marshall University Institutional Review Board (IRB).

If you agree to participate, you will complete an anonymous online survey administered through Qualtrics. The survey is intended for primary and secondary Points of Contact (PoCs) at currently designated NSA CAE-CD institutions. It includes questions about institutional and program characteristics, Likert-type items asking you to rate the level of instructional challenge associated with Foundational and Technical KU competencies, and open-ended questions asking you to describe specific instructional challenges. The survey is expected to take approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.

Your participation is voluntary. You may choose not to participate, may skip any question you do not wish to answer, and may stop the survey at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. Choosing not to participate will not affect your relationship with Marshall University, the NSA CAE-CD Program, or the CAE in Cybersecurity Community. 

The study presents no more than minimal risk. Some questions ask about professional experiences and challenges associated with teaching or supporting CAE-CD Knowledge Units. You may choose not to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable. There are no direct benefits to you for participating. However, your responses may contribute to a better understanding of instructional challenges in CAE-CD programs and may inform future curriculum support, faculty development, institutional resources, and program improvement.

Your responses will be anonymous. Do not enter your name or other personally identifying information in the survey. No personally identifiable information will be intentionally collected, IP address tracking will be disabled in Qualtrics, and study findings will be reported only in aggregate form. Because the survey is anonymous, once you submit your responses, the researchers may not be able to identify or remove your individual response from the data set. Research data will be stored on password-protected systems accessible only to the research team and will be retained for three years after completion of the study, after which electronic data will be permanently deleted and any printed research materials, if generated, will be securely destroyed.

If you have questions about this research, you may contact Billy G. Gardner Jr., Student Investigator, at bill.gardner@marshall.edu. You may also contact Principal Investigator Dr. Kimberly McFall at kimberly.mcfall@marshall.edu or 304-746-8975.

If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, concerns about the research, or wish to speak with someone other than the researchers, you may contact the Marshall University Office of Research Integrity at (304) 696-4303.

By proceeding to the survey, you confirm that you are 18 years of age or older, are a primary or secondary Point of Contact at a currently designated NSA CAE-CD institution, have read the information above, and voluntarily agree to participate in this research. Completing and submitting the online survey indicates your consent for the researchers to use the answers you provide for the purposes described above.

Please print or save a copy of this consent information for your records before proceeding to thesurvey.

Version 04/30/14

Author: Billy G. Gardner Jr

Approved by: Marshall University Institutional Review Board (IRB)