Research and Evaluation
Research
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Hillsborough County Public Schools receives many requests to conduct research from a variety of individuals and organizations. We appreciate your interest in conducting educational research in our county and schools. Applications are accepted and reviewed four times annually. Policies and procedures pertaining to individuals and entities who would like to conduct research and/or evaluation activities in the district, or who would like to receive and use District student data and/or staff data for research or evaluation purposes are found within the revised: Research Procedures Handbook
Please note, all requests must be approved prior to contacting or soliciting HCPS employees.
Evaluation
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To determine the efficiency of policies and effectiveness of programs, Hillsborough County Public Schools collects and analyzes data to answer questions raised through implementation. These systematic reviews are conducted at various points during any given school year with the express interest to inform stakeholders of student learning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose behind project/data approval?
The research review and data request process help to ensure:- the research is significant and aligns to the District’s stated mission.
- the potential benefit to the participants and/or the district outweighs the nature and interruption.
- the rights of the proposed research subjects within HCPS are protected as required by law.
- the welfare of students and staff are considered with the least amount of unnecessary interruptions.
How long will it take to review my application?
Our goal is to review applications in a timely manner, however review time may vary based upon District responsibilities and or the number of applications. We accept applications four times a year; one deadline per season (winter, spring, summer, and fall). Check the Assessment and Accountability Research and Evaluation website for exact due dates. Once a submission deadline passes, the application is reviewed by the Research Review Committee (RRC) to determine if the request proceeds (approved), is returned to the applicant for pertinent or clarifying information, or is returned without approval (rejected). In the case of a rejection, applicants are encouraged to follow the recommendations and rejection reasoning provided by the RRC to adjust and then resubmit their request during another application window. Additional reasons for processing time delays or rejections include, but are not limited to: inadequate explanations for questions in the application, failure to complete the application or supply all relevant documents.Why do I have to provide informed consents to applicants?
Hillsborough County Public Schools requires all surveys, and other projects where researchers interact with students, parents, and/or District personnel to provide consent forms. The purpose of the informed consent practice is to provide sufficient information to a potential participant written in easily understood language, allowing him/her to make a voluntary decision “to” or “not to” participate in the research study. Consent may only be given if the participant is 18 years old or older. Participants under the age of 18 must be given permission by their legal guardian(s) to take part. Consent can be given one of two ways: Passive- where participants only bring back the forms if they do not want to take part, or Active- where participants only bring back the forms if they want to take part. Hillsborough County Public Schools requires the participants, or their guardians as deemed appropriate based on age, give their use of passive or active consent depending on what and how the study is being conducted. The researcher is responsible in the collection, securing, and proper disposal of all consent, assent, or dissent forms of participants.What do I need to do if I need to conduct my research beyond my approved projected date?
All research approvals are limited to one year beyond the date of approval. Extensions to approved research and data requests must go through the approval process in the same way as initial requests. This is done to ensure the continuation of research is not intruding on the time, instruction, and practices of staff, students, schools, or the District. The need for an extension should be discussed with the RRC Check-In (generally one month from proposed research projected end date). Example of an extension might include adding a nine-week or semester period of time to the study.What do I need to do if I need to modify my approved request?
All research approvals are limited to one year beyond the date of approval. Modifications to approved research and data requests must go through the approval process in the same way as initial requests. This is done to ensure the continuation of research is not intruding on the time, instruction, and practices of staff, students, schools, or the District. Examples of modifications might include, change in the research location (school site), number of participants needed, or the type or number of participants.What do I need to do when my research is complete?
Once your study is complete, you are obligated to:- secure or destroy the data you used as identified in your approved request,
- meet all incentive commitments made to participants,
- ensure all personal identifiable information of participants and the District are removed from your reported findings,
- submit a copy of your final findings to Hillsborough County Public Schools Research Committee
How do I destroy my data?
Various regulations apply to the collection, storing, and subsequent destruction of data. Depending on the approved research, data may need to be stored for a minimum of 3 years providing the data remains secure. When research is completed, secure storing is no longer available, and/or the data is of no more use as a researcher, it is important to remember the confidentiality of your research participants throughout the process is of the utmost importance. Shred and cross-shred, or burn paper files. Do not simply throw them in the trash. Electronic files stored on portable hard drives, CDs, DVDs should be “erased” and physically cleared, purges, and destroyed. Electronic files on computers and “Cloud”-based servers should be erased using commercial software applications designed to remove all data from storage devices.
