The Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) represents teachers and researchers of composition and communication in all possible genres, media, contexts, and exigencies; for the purpose of these guidelines, "writers" and "writing" will be all-encompassing, and the term "researcher" will refer to anyone who undertakes a study. Members of the CCCC share a commitment to protecting the rights, privacy, dignity, and well-being of the persons who are involved in their studies, whether as participants or co-researchers. These guidelines are intended to assist researchers in fulfilling this commitment. They apply to all efforts by scholars, teachers, administrators, students, and others that are directed toward publication of a book or journal article, presentation at a conference, preparation of a thesis or dissertation, display on a website, or other general dissemination of the results of research and scholarship. The guidelines apply to formally planned investigations. Topics covered include: (1) Compliance; (2) Maintaining Competence; (3) Recruiting; (4) Obtaining Informed Consent; (5) Conducting Studies Involving Classes; (6) Conducting Studies Outside the Classroom; (7) Conducting Studies Involving Digital/Online Media; (8) Conducting Studies Involving Archival Work; (9) Conducting Studies Involving Assessment Data; (10) Using Unpublished Writing Collected Outside of an IRB-Approved Study; (11) Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Reporting Statements; (12) Describing Individuals and Groups; (13) Using Video, Audio, Photographs, and Other Identifiable Representations of Participants; (14) Working with Co-Researchers and Co-Authors; (15) Working with Editors/Publishers; and (16) Indicating Possible Financial Conflicts of Interest. [These guidelines were established in November 2003 and revised in March 2015.]