Although composition specialists embrace a variety of theoretical frameworks and research methodologies, they share a commitment to protecting the rights, privacy, dignity, and well-being of the students who are involved in their studies. These guidelines from the Conference on College Composition and Communication are intended to assist composition specialists in fulfilling this commitment. The guidelines 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 cultural dissemination of the results of research and scholarship. The guidelines apply to formally planned investigations and to studies that discuss students and student writing that the composition specialists encountered in other ways, such as when teaching classes or working at writing centers. They consider the following elements: compliance with policies, regulations, and laws; maintaining competence; obtaining informed consent; conducting studies involving classes; recruiting the composition specialists' own students; quoting, paraphrasing, and reporting student statements; using videotapes, audiotapes, and photographs; describing students; and using groups of student writing samples collected outside of an institutional review board-approved study. (NKA)