External Research

I. Overview

While the Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is committed to the advancement of educational research, the quantity of external research projects proposed to the district on an annual basis tends to be larger than the district can accommodate. Additionally, a significant number of the projects proposed are inconsistent with the district’s mission and/or do not appear to be grounded in a valid research design. Consequently, we have developed a formal process to review requests to conduct research in the district. The purposes of this review process include the following: (1) to protect staff and students’ time from unauthorized or excessive data collection, (2) to review the request in the context of laws and regulation governing privacy and the protection of human subjects, and (3) to assess the rigor of the proposed research to ascertain its potential to lead to educational improvement.

Research is defined as the systematic collection of any data about students, parents, staff, and/or schools in SLCSD for the purpose of developing descriptions, predictions, interventions, or explanations relating to various aspects of education. Examples of data collection tools include but are not limited to surveys, tests, interviews, and observations. Observations or class visitations by university classes or students in such classes are not covered by the procedures for the review of external research when no data collection is involved. Approval for such visits must be obtained from the school principal. The initial contact regarding external research in the district should always be with the Director of Research and Evaluation for the district (801-578-8484), rather than directly with school site personnel.

External research includes studies: (1) initiated by an outside agency or individual to be conducted in the SLCSD, or (2) initiated by a SLCSD employee for purposes beyond the scope of his/her work role (e.g., dissertation). The following types of projects will be given priority:

Projects that address critical research needs of the district.
Grant-funded projects that have been subjected to peer review and have full-time faculty or professional evaluators supervising data collection and analysis.
Studies conducted by SLCSD employees for the purpose of fulfilling advanced degree requirements, assuming the research is otherwise sound.
Studies conducted by agencies that provide health and social services for children and families.

The following types of proposed studies are generally not approved.

Data collection involving a loss of instructional time for students.
Research that imposes undue burdens on school or district personnel, such as excessive testing and unreasonable time demands.
Data collection that includes requests for personal information about students or their families.

Specifically, we do not approve external research projects on family problems, personal values, sexual behavior or orientation, alcohol or drug use, and whether students have engaged in or witnessed other illegal activities. In addition, no research by students at the undergraduate level will be permitted.

II. The Application Process

The following instructions describe the forms/documentation that must be submitted for consideration of approval of external research. Three copies of all documents should be submitted to:

Shauna Carl
Associate Superintendent
Salt Lake City School District
440 East First South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Each application must include a: (1) completed REQUEST for EXTERNAL RESEARCH FORM, and (2) RESEARCH PROSPECTUS. The RESEARCH PROSPECTUS should include the following information:

A statement of the research problem;
A brief literature review supporting the statement of the research problem;
A statement of the specific questions to be addressed, including operational definitions of the variables involved;
A description of the research design, sample, data collection procedures, and methods of analyses to be used;
If applicable, provide copies of any surveys, tests, and questions that will be employed; and
If applicable, provide copies of all necessary Informed Consent documents.

Forms obtaining informed consent from parties from whom data will be collected must include descriptions of: (1) the individual(s) conducting the research including contact information, (2) the purpose of the study, (3) data collection procedures, (4) the study duration and time required of those participating in the study, (5) procedures to withdraw from the study with no penalty, (6) how the data will be utilized, (7) potential risks and benefits, and (8) efforts to maintain confidentiality. In addition, Informed Consent forms must include signature and date lines. Applications submitted to the IRB of universities and other agencies may serve as a substitute for the RESEARCH PROSPECTUS.

The last date for new research applications is 30 days prior to the end of the school year. The district reserves the right to extend that period should the need arise. However, research activities at the beginning and end of the school year and during periods of testing should be avoided.

III. The Review Process

Studies will be assessed foremost for their value to a particular school or to the SLCSD as a whole. In addition, the relative cost-benefit to the school district should be equitable. Accordingly, the design of the study should be congruent with SLCSD policy and research supported educational practices. Finally, the research design should be one from which valid conclusions can be drawn.

Prior to making the decision whether or not to approve the proposal to conduct external research, the Associate Superintendent will obtain feedback from an ad hoc committee. SLCSD staff members will be selected for these committees based on their knowledge of and concern with the proposed research. The review process generally takes four weeks to complete. A final decision regarding the status of the application will be sent to the applicant in writing. The application may be accepted as is, approved based on stated modifications, or denied. Central administration approval does not necessarily constitute approval for the study to be conducted in any specific school. It is simply a permission to request the voluntary cooperation in the research of individuals associated with SLCSD. After the project is approved applicants will be given a district approval form. Researchers must obtain the approval of principals and others involved, prior to conducting research in specific schools. The research will be approved for a specific time period. The expiration date for the approval will be based on information provided by the applicant. Approval of research projects by the district does not require principals to allow research in their school.

IV. Research Conduct

The SLCSD holds the following expectations for external researchers.

The confidentiality of student records must be maintained and the privacy and rights of individuals and schools respected.
While conducting research studies in the schools, individuals should abide by standards of professional conduct and dress.
The disruption of the school’s routine must be kept to a minimum.
Meetings and data collection should be scheduled far enough in advance to allow for adequate planning.
It is the obligation of the researcher to secure informed consent from parents/guardians whenever necessary.
The researcher(s) is/are responsible for absorbing the financial costs of conducting the study.
The researcher(s) must notify the Associate Superintendent regarding any proposed changes in the study.
The SLCSD expects the researcher(s) to provide a copy of the final research report. The applicant agrees to release this report for use by SLCSD without remuneration.

We appreciate your interest in conducting research in the Salt Lake City School District . If you have any questions regarding the application or review process, please contact Shauna Carl at 801.578.8484.