Access to restricted materials gives rise to concerns about limitations on researchers' freedom to communicate. In such instances, researchers must exercise considerable judgment to conduct their research in an open environment while protecting the restricted materials to which they have access. Researchers must also be aware that the university will judge their performance as researchers through their publications or through other scholarly products that arise from their research. Research that is restricted in dissemination, or not available for public review, cannot be considered in promotion or reappointment decisions or in evaluations of academic performance of any kind. It is necessary for students to publish their work in order to obtain degrees, course credit and professional recognition.
Students rely to a large degree on their faculty advisor's judgment for guidance and advice.
Research that is restricted in dissemination, or not available for public review, cannot be used for academic credit. Thus, before working on such research, a student must be notified in writing that work on this research may not be used for academic credit. The semi-autonomous units associated with Carnegie Mellon may conduct restricted research. Work that is restricted in any way may not be used for academic evaluations until it is released for publication, and then only with respect to future academic actions. Students may occasionally be employed by the semi-autonomous units, provided that such employment does not interfere substantially with progress toward a degree.