Regulations and Procedures for Conducting Research Studies in Knox County Schools

Knox County Schools desires to keep abreast of changes in educational technology, results of current educational research, and innovative educational programs.  Therefore, we welcome the opportunity to be a part of the development and testing of innovative ideas in education. 

However, it is the obligation of Knox County Schools to protect the interests and learning opportunities of its students, teachers, and stakeholders.  These interests and opportunities will not be sacrificed in order to establish a setting conducive to research.  Thus, each proposal to conduct research will be examined carefully on the basis of whether it contributes significant new and useful information to the educational program of Knox County Schools and public education as a whole. 

In general, permission to conduct research may be denied when the study is deemed: 

(1) to be too intrusive on instructional time, particularly when student responses are required;

(2) to be too socially or politically sensitive;

(3) to have little or no educational research value; or

(4) to be of inferior quality.

Procedure for Obtaining Permission to Conduct Research

Step 1.  The researcher completes a written response to the nine items listed below:

• Name and mailing address and e-mail address of the researcher(s)
•  Telephone number where the researcher(s) can be reached in the daytime
•  Position(s) of the principal researcher(s) [undergraduate student, graduate student, or college professor (specify institution); Knox County employee (specify job and location); other (specify occupation and affiliated institution, if any)]
•  Name and title of the principal researcher's instructor, major professor, or project director [if applicable]
• Title of the proposed study
• Brief description of the proposed study which is not limited to but must include (1) a purpose, (2) a targeted population (who and how many), (3) data collection procedures, (4) an estimated time required by Knox County participants, and (5) projected value of the study to Knox County, if any
• Single copies of all questionnaires, surveys, tests, answer sheets, structured interviews, or other instruments that will be used by Knox County participants
• Single copies of cover letters, copies of instructions, parent permission statements (for student participation)
• Approximate proposed times for beginning and ending the study

Step 2.  The researcher sends the response to the Evaluation Specialist

        Email: beckettj@k12tn.net                       John Beckett

        Telephone:  (865) 594-1735                    Evaluation Specialist

        Fax:  (865) 594-1709                               P. O. Box 2188

                                                                        Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-2188

Step 3.  The researcher will receive one of the following:  (a) an approval letter, or (b) a request for information or clarification, or (c) a letter denying permission.

Step 4.  After receipt of an approval letter, the researcher may contact the principals of the school(s) where the study will be conducted in order to seek final approval at the school level.