The School Board of Hillsborough County Public Schools supports education-related research and program evaluation studies that apply rigorous and systematic procedures to get valid data relevant to the implementation and effect of education programs and to advance public education for district stakeholders. The Board further recognizes that individuals and agencies may ask for permission to conduct research in the school system. However, the Board also acknowledges its responsibility to ensure that research conducted in the school system is high quality, safeguards the privacy of individuals, furthers the goals of the district, and minimizes interruptions to the instructional program.

Restricted instructional and progress monitoring window time periods*:

*Dates are subject to change as progress monitoring windows fluctuate due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you are a current HCPS employee seeking approval to conduct research in our county, please send an email expressing your interest and focus to: ResearchRequest@hcps.net prior to submitting your request.

**Please note the changes to our research application schedule effective October 1, 2024**

Hillsborough County Public Schools is committed to meeting the instructional needs of students. Therefore, observations and disruptions to learning are not permitted. Research and data requests are considered and reviewed during all five points during the calendar year.

Research and Data Request

Though Research Requests are submitted yearlong, complete applications will only be reviewed at the times listed above. Data requests that take more than one hour to fulfill are charged with an hourly rate of $125.

The review process involves:

1. Complete online application and requisite materials received via email by 11:59pm of Review Cycle Submission Date
2. RRP reviews application for completeness
3. Complete application candidates receive moving forward to formal review email
4. RRP formally completes a technical review of the request
   • impact of study
   • significance of study
   • alignment with HCPS Strategic Plan
   • availability of data elements requested (where applicable)
5. RRP formally completes content review based on:
   • interest
   • feasibility
   • benefit to all stakeholders within content area
   • burden to all stakeholders within content area
6. RRP solicits schools using researcher-supplied Flyer or solicitation email
7. Researcher is sent formal decision letter
8. 60-30 days prior to end of planned research, applicant will receive a Check-In
9. At the end of the study, a summary of the findings must be submitted to the RRP⁺

* Incomplete application will NOT be considered for review.

+Failure to submit findings may jeopardize the future working relationship between the researcher and Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Current HCPS employees seeking approval to conduct research in the county, please send an email expressing your interest and focus to: ResearchRequest@hcps.net prior to submitting an application. 

(Refer to Research Procedures Handbook for descriptions of each item mentioned below). Research Request Application  complete the application which will ask for:

• Summary
• Rationale
• Purpose
• Research question/hypothesis
• Data collection methodology and Procedures
• Detailed secondary data request (if applicable)
• Alignment of Request to District Strategic Plan
• Analytic plan
• Burden and Benefit to the District:
• Consent/Assent
• Student/participant incentives
• Timeline

All items listed below should be attached as one email no later than 11:59pm on the review cycle submission date to: ResearchRequest@hcps.net. Be sure to include your name and research title in the Subject field of the email.

• A copy of ALL Informed Consent(s)/Assent(s)
• A copy of the Study Flyer­ for Principal solicitation
• A copy of researcher Human Subject Research training certificate (i.e., Citi, PHRP, NIH, OHRP)
• IRB Approval Letter
• Signed copy of HCPS Access and Use of Confidential Data (Form A)
• A copy of ALL instruments and measures (focus group questions, survey, etc.)
• If Graduate and Advance Graduate thesis/dissertation/capstone researchers should include all of the above with the addition of:
• A letter of approval from committee chairperson or graduate faculty advisor