Use the DES for Research
At the center of the DES mission are the values of enhancing inclusion and engagement across all institutions, supporting the education of future leaders, and contributing to the knowledge base around diversity in organizational environments.
Along these lines, in certain circumstances, we allow the use of the DES for free. Individuals enrolled in a degree program may apply to use the DES without cost. If approved, researchers are responsible for independently implementing, distributing the DES, and analyzing their DES data.
Guidelines for Research Use
-
Submit a one-page summary of the research for approval. Tell us how you plan to use the DES. Specify the parameters of your research and indicate how you will administer the survey and analyze your results.
Upon approval, the researcher will be provided with written permission outlining the sanctioned parameters of the work.
-
The core DES questions (22 items) must be in their original form without modifications. That is the only way the DES Team can ensure the integrity of the survey. With consultation, researchers may alter the target audience in the item (e.g., omit students or change the word employee). Researchers can add questions if they wish. However, the DES Team has found most additional questions to be redundant if the organization is seeking information on diversity and inclusion.
-
The following statement of attribution and copyright must appear on all copies of the survey:
© 2016 University of Massachusetts. The Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) and its supporting documents may not be reproduced or distributed without prior permission. To request permission, please contact des@umassmed.edu.
-
Researchers must agree to provide the DES Team with a copy of the completed research study and/or provide a hyperlink to the final manuscript(s) if requested.
Researchers must agree to acknowledge the DES copyright in any scholarly work associated with the DES, including manuscripts for publications and posters for presentation.