Research from afar: considerations for conducting an off-site research project

An off-site research project is defined as a research study having a conduction location and data-collection site from which the principal investigator is geographically separated. Off-site research projects will likely increase because they afford greater access to larger research subject pools relevant to research questions and allow participation research at a site from which research would otherwise not be conducted. The critical elements proposed to make an off-site study successful include system negotiations, attending to personnel issues, fostering communication, encouraging subject participation, optimizing data collection and management, considering privacy issues, and ensuring optimal research team performance. An example of a specific off-site study involving a major midwest research university in one state and a large United States Navy training center in another state is discussed, and essential elements in establishing off-site research are highlighted.