IAPD Policy for Distribution of Surveys to IAPD Members
Surveys may be distributed to IAPD members subject to the following conditions:
Scientific Review
All survey requests must be reviewed and approved by the IAPD Science Committee prior to distribution.
Researcher Identification and Ethics Approval
The survey author must submit a written statement identifying the researchers and their affiliated institution(s), together with disclosure of any conflicts of interest. Where applicable, a letter from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee confirming approval of the study should also be provided.
Target Population
The intended target population within the IAPD membership must be clearly identified in a cover letter accompanying the survey request.
Survey Introduction and Voluntary Participation
Each survey must begin with a brief introduction explaining the purpose of the research, the responsible institution, the estimated time required to complete the survey, and include the statement:
“This survey is voluntary, and you may choose not to participate.”
Anonymous Participation and Personal Data
Surveys must allow respondents to participate anonymously. The collection of email addresses or other personally identifiable information must not be mandatory. If personal data is requested (e.g., for follow-up contact), this must be optional and clearly explained.
Data Protection
The survey must include a statement explaining how the collected data will be used, stored, and protected, and identifying the responsible research institution.
Survey Format
The survey must be prepared in an electronic format and ready for distribution without modification via a survey link (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, or similar platforms).
Distribution Process
Surveys are distributed by the IAPD Secretariat. Member email addresses will not be shared with researchers and recipients will remain undisclosed.
Fees
An administrative fee of €350 will be charged for the distribution of the survey. If requested, a reminder mailing may be sent for an additional fee of €100.
IAPD Discretion
The IAPD reserves the right to review and test the survey prior to distribution and may decline requests that are promotional, commercial, insufficiently scientific, or not aligned with the mission of the association. The IAPD acts solely as a distribution channel and does not endorse the survey or assume responsibility for the research outcomes.