IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE RESEARCHERS

1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE RESEARCHERS

2. Purpose • To give clarity on the processes that need to be followed before GDE may grant permission for conducting research in Gauteng schools. • To alleviate the unnecessary hiccups that we normally have when processing the research requests. • To get a platform where we can be able to answer the researchers’ questions and thus avoid unnecessary problems and delays.

3. COMMON PROBLEMS • Late submission of requests; • Incomplete required documents; • Using old email addresses; • Using old application forms; • Requests submitted to other directorates; • Requests submitted to the districts; • Requests not reaching the appropriate directorate;

4. COMMON PROBLEMS CONT… • Requests to conduct research during school hours; • Attachments that are too large and do not reach us; • Emails that we are unable to open • Forms not properly completed • Group research; • Amended research;

5. COMMON PROBLEMS CONT… • Time frame of the permission letter; • Researchers forcing us to go against GDE policies; • Interview schedules and questionnaires that violate the learners’ rights; • Research projects that are started prior to the approval by GDE; and • Completed electronic research reports/abstracts are never submitted back to GDE as promised.

6. 4. APPROVAL PROCESS • Fill in the prescribed research request form on the website; • Provide the GDE with all relevant details pertaining to the research study to be undertaken; and • Permission will not be granted if the above is not adhered to.

7. WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE FORM? • All particulars of the researcher/s; • Full details of any additional person/people that would be involved in the research • Purpose of the proposed research; • Full Title of Thesis/Dissertation/Research Project; • Value of the research to education; and • Student and postgraduate particulars.

8. WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE FORM? CONT. • Proposed research method/s should be indicated: • Questionnaire (copies to be supplied); • Interview (schedule to be supplied); • Use of official documents; • Workshops/group discussions; and • Standardised test (test to be supplied).

9. WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE FORM? CONT. .. • Type of institution; • Number of institutions involved; • Names of institutions to be researched; • Districts where the study is to be conducted; • Number of learners to be involved, and their gender; • Number of educators to be involved;

10. WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE FORM? CONT… • Participants to be involved; • Average period of time each person is to be involved; • Time of day in which research is to be conducted; • School term during which research will be undertaken; and • Declaration by the research and supervisor to authenticate the information provided and to agree to abide by the conditions as prescribed by the GDE.

11. PRESCRIBED TIME FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES • No Research project must be started prior to the approval by the Department • No research activities are allowed in January nor during the last quarter of the year. • Research period: beginning of the second week of February to the end of the third quarter i.e. end of September.

12. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS • A maximum of 30 days from the date of receipt has been allocated before making a decision around granting approval. • Applicants should apply for permission at least two months prior to the start of the actual undertaking.

13. ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS • The test, questionnaire, interview schedules, or other materials which are intended to be used; • Translated version/s where more than one language is to be used; • A study permit for foreign researchers;

14. ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS CONT… • The questionnaires / structured interview schedules / tests should meet the following criteria: • Education accountability; • Proper research design; • Sensitivity towards participants/ethical considerations; • Correct content and terminology; • Acceptable grammar; and • Absence of non-essential / superfluous items.

15. ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS CONT… • The researcher should resubmit the modified proposal if there are any modifications from the original approved proposal, • Should indicate that it is a modified proposal and the reasons for the modification. • The researcher may only continue subject to the approval of the Department. • Failure to adhere to the procedures described in the proposal will lead to prosecution

16. RESTRICTIONS & OBLIGATIONS • Permission for research to be conducted during school hours: only in exceptional circumstances . • The consent of the Principal and the SGB (if at a school) and the relevant Director (if at a district/head office) must be obtained when determining appropriate time/s for conducting research.

17. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS • There should be written consent of parents and learners before involving any learner/s in their research study • Consent letters should include: • Aims of the research; • The right to remain anonymous; • Questions asked should not be insulting or embarrassing; • Use of monitoring devices e.g. tape recorders and cameras should be open, and fully understood by the people concerned.

18. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS CONT… • Results should be consonant with the respondent’s right to welfare, dignity and privacy; and • There should be no exploitation of respondents for personal gain.

19. APPROVAL • Applicants will be informed in writing whether or not their application has been successful, • In cases where: • An applicant is not successful, he/she will be provided with reasons. • Study/ies involving medical testing of learners in schools shall not be permitted.

20. RESEARCH INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE RESEARCHER • The form should include full personal details of all the people who will be involved in data collection • Each individual should also complete a declaration form. • A team leader should complete a research request form while all other individuals involved in the project complete personal information and a declaration form.

21. APPROVAL • Successful applicant will be provided with the ff: • a letter identifying him/her as a GDE approved researcher for the duration of his/her research; • The name/s and location/s of persons to make contact with at District and/or Head Office; • Expected to produce the letter (original) as identification to the District Director and the school when they meet.

22. AFTER COMPLETION • Supply GDE with the following: • A PDF electronic copy; • The abstract and GDE analysis tool with research findings and recommendations of the final approved research report, thesis or dissertation; and • Failure to submit the above-mentioned records may result in GDE not granting the institution permission to conduct research in any of its institutions in future.

23. AFTER COMPLETION CONT... • Should the researcher have been involved with research at a school and/or a district/head office level, the Director concerned must also be supplied with the ff: • A pdf electronic copy, • The abstract • GDE analysis tool with research findings and recommendations of the final approved research report, thesis or dissertation

24. APPLICATION FORM • Latest copy of the research request form, especially the last page

25. Thank you Kea leboga Ngiyabonga Ndzankhensa Ndolivhuha Ndiyabulela Baiedankie Kea leboha