Section 16.04 - Procedures for Processing Research Proposals(1) A researcher must contact the Department's Research Review Committee Chair to initiate a research proposal, who will provide the researcher with a copy of the Department research policy.(2) Research proposals are initially reviewed by the Department for conformity with the following required components:(a) A research proposal including at least the following: 1. objective(s) of research;2. preliminary description of research methodology;3. type(s) of data needed;4. expected data source(s);5. expected end-products of the research;6. estimate of completion times for entire project and principal stages;(b) letters of approval from the Department Area Director and/or Regional Director, when the research is anticipated to have an impact on staff or families in a participating Area and/or Regional Office;(c) letters of support from other involved Department offices or units, agencies, residential facilities, institutions, or organizations, as available;(d) resume(s) of principal researcher(s);(e) description of any relevant institutional or organizational involvement;(f) copies of University and/or Hospital Human Subjects Committee or Internal Review Board approval of project, if relevant;(g) copy of informed consent form that meets Department approval;(h) source(s) of funding for project;(i) description of benefits expected to accrue to the Department's families, or staff, or to the management of service delivery;(j) evidence that Department consent and confidentiality requirements will be maintained; and(k) an estimate of staff time and/or other Department resources needed for the project.