APPENDIX 1
Application to Conduct Research in DECD
Instructions to applicants:
 This application form is for researchers seeking approval to approach DECD sites and/or students, clients or staff,
to conduct a research project, and/or who wish to access administrative data sets owned or managed by the
Department of Education and Childhood Development (including Families SA) for research purposes.
 For researchers seeking approval to conduct research in DECD sites, please refer to the procedures provided in
Section 4.
 Please complete ALL questions. You may use the spaces provided and/or attach additional pages as necessary.
 Please double click to check
all relevant boxes.
Section 1: General details
1.
Research locations/category



a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
2.
Select the category of research
Indicate whether or not access to Department-owned data is required
Indicate if the research has been submitted to other states/territories/jurisdictions
Research in preschools or early childhood
settings
Research in schools
Research in both schools and preschool/early
childhood settings
Research with Families SA sites, clients, carers or
staff
DECD
internally
initiated
research
or
commissioned
Is access to administrative data required for the
project indicated in the above research
categories?
Is the research to be conducted in other
states/territories and jurisdictions?
Complete form and submit according to instructions.
If yes, before submitting this application, please refer
to Section 4.3.8 and the ‘Data Requests’ section of
the Data Management and Information Systems
website http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/accountability/
If
yes,
please
specify
details
of
the
location(s)/jurisdictions and if the research has been
approved or not been approved, or approved subject
to modifications:
Research Project title (max. 50 words)
Title:
Keywords (Note: Please identify 1 - 3 key words below that best describe the category of educational and child development
research from Attachment 6 only). If none of the categories included in Attachment 6 are applicable, please state ‘Other’ below
and specify details.
1.
3.
2.
3.
Details of principal researcher
 If a student researcher, please specify the degree being sought in the appropriate field below and include
your supervisor as the associate researcher.
Title:
Name:
Faculty/ Department:
Organisation/ University:
Qualification(s):
Postal Address:
Phone:
Mobile:
1 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Email:
If a student researcher, please specify degree being sought:
4.
Details of associate researcher (or supervisor)
Title:
Name:
Faculty/ Department:
Organisation/ University:
Qualification(s):
Postal Address:
Phone:
Mobile:
Email:

If there are more than two researchers, please list their names only.
Name:
Name:
5.
Key milestones and timeline

Please provide proposed commencement and completion dates (dd/mm/yyyy) for data collection, analysis
and reporting.
Milestone
Start
Finish
Data Collection
Analysis
Completion (Final
Report)
6.
Commissioning agency/body and funding source

Name the commissioning agency/body funding the project and the amount of funding/grant received; e.g.
Federal Government Department, ARC, funded by a State Department (include any funding from DECD
separately indicated below).
Commissioning agency/body:
Amount ($):

For projects commissioned/funded by DECD, provide information about the DECD Office/Unit, funding
and contact person below.
Office/Unit:
Total DECD funding:
DECD contact person:
7.
Previous related research

Have you previously applied to conduct this or similar research in DECD?
Yes
(Please attach a copy of the final report
to the application)
No
If Yes, state the title, where, when:
Departmental reference number:
2 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Section 2: Benefit and value

8.
In this section describe how the project will benefit the Department, its clients, staff or schools and the
contribution it will make to the education, health, safety and/or welfare of children.
Aim and research question(s)

9.
10.
Express the aim of the project by listing up to generally three research questions it seeks to answer.
Research value-add

Briefly describe the extent to which the research contributes to new knowledge, builds on what is already
known, including how the research addresses problems or gaps in existing literature

Include any details of how the research extends existing research
Background and rationale

Summarise and outline the background, rationale and objectives of the project.
(approx. 100 - 200 words)
11.
Project benefit and outcomes


12.
13.
What specific benefits to the Department, Families SA, CAFHS, school(s), early childhood services,
educators, parents/guardians, children, families or educational community, if any, will result?
What educational or developmental impacts, if any, will result?
Alignment to DECD strategic directions and priorities

Describe the alignment of the research project to support and contribute to the achievement of DECD
strategic directions and priorities 2012 – 2016 (refer to
http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/aboutdept/pages/stratplanning/strategicplan/ and/or to the Melbourne Declaration on
Educational Goals for Young Australians and/or research goals in “Protecting Australia’s Children” national
framework)

Will it inform new priorities and policies? If so, please describe.
Dissemination and communication of research

List the planned products/formats for the dissemination and communication of research findings. Consider
what can be fed back to the school, centre, and community, Families SA, CAFHS or DECD. For example,
e.g. evaluation or research report, journal article, media publicity, information kit, conference or school
presentation; professional development program, thesis, other.
3 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Section 3: Methodology
In this section, please provide a detailed description of the strategy you will use to answer your research questions
including:
 sampling strategies and recruitment process
 instruments for data collection
 procedures for data collection and the impact they will have on sites
 techniques for data analysis
14.
Sampling strategies

Please explain how you will select participants, state and justify the sample size/number of
participants/sites involved

Please attach a list of sites to be sampled (where applicable)
Please specify:
Participant details
Number of participants:
Number of schools/sites/centres:
Active participants (please select)
Principals/Directors
Teachers/Staff
Parents/Guardians
Students/Children
Age groups of students/children actively participating (please select)
0<5 years
Other:
15.
Please describe how you will recruit potential participants (including administrative details).
List and provide details about the methods or approach you will use to collect data or information, e.g.
experimental/control group, case studies, focus groups, interviews, observation, questionnaires/surveys,
video/digital, pilot study, longitudinal study, secondary data analysis, qualitative, quantitative, drill-down,
trials, video, feasibility study, program evaluation, action research, other.
Instruments for data collection

18.
15+ years
Method of data collection

17.
11<15 years
Recruitment process

16.
5<11 years
List the instruments you will use and a brief description. Note: copies of the actual instruments must be
attached.
Techniques for data analysis

Describe how you will analyse your data to answer the research questions.
4 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Section 4: Ethical Conduct, Cost and Burden
19.
Approval by a Human Research Ethics Committee



Researchers are reminded that any proposal which is more than ‘low risk’ as defined by the National
Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research requires an HREC review.
Please advise if you have lodged an application to conduct this research with a formally constituted HREC,
and the status of the application.
If the HREC requests amendments please provide DECD with details.
Application submitted (please select):
Yes
No
If No, please explain why you have not sought HREC approval for your project. Demonstration of the National Statement
guidelines on Ethical Conduct is advised:
Approved
Status of application (please select):
(Please include the
document as an
attachment)
In progress
Not approved
Any other comments or details of HREC submission(s), including submissions to the SA Aboriginal Health Research
Ethics Committee:
20.
Impact on sites



Please indicate the activities staff, teachers, students, children, young people and
parents/guardians/carers will participate in.
Use one line for each activity and add extra rows as needed.
If applicable, describe and justify any limitations to targeting potential participants in other settings where
the research can be targeted and research aims achieved.
a) Participants in each school/centre
Type of activity
(e.g. survey,
interview, video,
observation)
Participants at
each site
(number & type,
e.g. 50 Year 10
students, 15
children, 2
teachers)
Amount of time
activity will take
(e.g. 30 minutes)
When activity will
take place
(e.g. in class time,
Term 1 2009, during
health check-up)
Participation
strategy
(e.g. whole class,
students withdrawn,
in waiting room)
b) Administrative and other support expected from each site
Administrative activity or other
support required (e.g. distribute and
collect consent forms, administer
survey)
Personnel to be involved
Amount of time administrative
activity will take
5 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
21.
22.
23.
24.
Strategies to minimise cost and burden

Outline how you will minimise the cost and burden on sites based on the research activity and
administrative expectations above (e.g. negotiation of scheduling, administrative/financial reimbursement
where applicable)

Where applicable, describe and justify any limitations to targeting potential participants in other settings
(non DECD) where the research can be targeted and research aims achieved.
Procedure for obtaining informed consent

Describe the procedure for obtaining consent of participants and when necessary, from parents or
guardians for their children.

Please attach copies of information sheets and consent forms to be used
Protection from harm: intrusive or sensitive issues

Provide detail on any questions or issues with the potential to be intrusive, upsetting or incriminating to
participants

Outline the additional support available in the event of any potential issues
Strategies to maintain confidentiality


25.
Outline how you will ensure the confidentiality of information provided and protect the anonymity of
participants and sites in relation to:
o data collection and storage
o publication/reporting of results.
If applicable, describe and justify any limitations to confidentiality and anonymity.
Any other relevant information

Please include any other relevant information that is not elsewhere included in the application
6 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Appendix 2
Research Undertaking to Conduct Research in DECD
Instructions to applicants:
This research undertaking must be signed and a copy of all questionnaires/surveys, lists of interview/focus group discussion
questions, tests, consent forms, letters to the principal/preschool director/site manager, information sheets and other documents
which are to be used must be provided.
Project Title:
Privacy
The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) is committed to protecting the privacy of personal and
health information, with all employees and those undertaking various roles within DECD sites being bound by relevant
Information Privacy Principles.
(Please tick all that apply for each box)
I/we have read and understood the Guidelines document and agree to obtain appropriate consent and maintain
confidentiality of information in accordance with Information Privacy principles. This includes not revealing any personal
information that may identify a person without their consent.
Child Safe Environments and Insurances
I/we agree to abide by site child protection processes for reporting child abuse and neglect
I/we have and maintain Child-Related Employment Screening check requirements
I/we have and maintain relevant and appropriate insurances
Publication
I/we agree to have a summary of the research project published in DECD internal newsletters and/or included on the
Department Web site, which is accessible and viewable by the public.
I/we agree to give prior notification to the DECD Public Relations Unit of any planned media coverage of the project,
so that the Department is able to respond appropriately.
if requested by DECD, I/we agree to provide an opportunity for the department to review and provide comment on any
materials generated from the research prior to formal publication. Any differences of opinion between the department
and myself regarding research outcomes will be acknowledged in publications, presentations and public forums.
Reports of Completed Research
At the completion of the research project:
I/we agree to ensure that all data records will be either destroyed or kept in a secure environment.
I/we undertake to provide feedback to the local site involved in the project
I/we agree to provide the Research and Evaluation Unit with an abstract/executive summary and final electronic and
hard copy of the final research report
I/we agree to have information on the research project and research report circulated to interested people within
DECD
Other
I/we agree to notify the Research and Evaluation Unit of any major changes to the project.
I/we understand that any breach of this undertaking may result in my/our being denied further access to DECD
services and sites for research purposes.
I/We declare the information provided in this application to conduct research to be true and correct.
Dated this ………… day of
……………………..
20...
Principal Researcher
Signature
Name
Address
Associated Researcher/supervisor (if student)
Signature
Name
Address
Phone
Phone
Witness
Signature
Name
Address
Phone
Witness
Signature
Name
Address
Phone
7 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Appendix 3
Information Sheet
Instructions to applicants:
 The information sheet is an example only and should be amended to include important specific details about the research
project as indicated below.
 The information sheet must be given to potential research participates to assist them in their decision about involvement.
It must be clearly written, in non-technical language and must accompany each consent form.
 The sheet must be translated if intended to be sent to participants and communities from a culturally and linguistically
diverse background.
Dear ……………………..
(Name of researcher) is a (position e.g. researcher, student etc.) from (name of institution) and is conducting
research regarding (title/topic of project) in (schools/early childhood centres/sites) in South Australia.
The research project involves (description of the purpose and conduct of the research)
Provide brief statements about the following:
 anticipated benefits and value to DECD, sites and the community
 the description of the activities that the participants will be involved in/what records need to be accessed
 the expected duration of participant’s participation
 assurances of confidentiality and anonymity
 that their participation is voluntary and they may withdraw consent from the project at anytime without
prejudice
 a description of any foreseeable risks due to their involvement in the research
 details of support should any stress or adverse effects occur
 the possible outcomes of the research including the likelihood and form of the publication of the research
results
 sufficient details about the nature and scope of the research to enable informed consent, particularly for sensitive
or specific topics/issues
This research has been approved by the (name of University/Organisation) Ethics Committee and the
Department for Education and Child Development.
If you are prepared for your child to take part, a Consent Form is attached for you to sign. If audio-taping or videotaping are involved, additional signatures to indicate consent are required. Should you require additional
information regarding this research, please contact (name) on (contact phone, address).
Thank you for considering this request.
Signed (researcher’s name) ………………………………………………
Date ………………..
Phone: ……………………. Fax: ……………………………..
Email ………………………………………………………
8 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Appendix 4
Consent Form
Instructions to applicants:
 This consent form is an example only for parent/guardian consent. The signature area should be amended for studies
involving Departmental staff or other participants as part of the research being conducted.
 The researcher must prepare a consent form to be signed and returned to the researcher to accompany the Information
sheet.
 The consent form should be amended to include specific details about the research project.
 The consent form must be translated if intended to be sent to participants and communities from a culturally and
linguistically diverse background.
 Please refer to the guidelines provided in Section 4.3.2 regarding all consent requirements.
I (name)……………………………………………..
hereby consent to my/**child’s involvement in the research project entitled:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Principal Researcher:
(name, phone, fax, email)
I have read and understood the Information Sheet on the above project and understand that (my child/I) is being
asked to (provide details of what is required of (the participant)).
I understand that (my child/I) may not directly benefit by taking part in this research.
I understand that while information gained in the study may be published, (my child/I) will not be identified; all
individual information will remain confidential.
I understand that my child’s participation in this research project is voluntary; a decision not to participate will in no
way affect their academic standing or relationship with the (school/site) and they are free to withdraw their
participation at any time
I understand that there will be no payment for (my child) taking part in this study.
I am aware that I should retain a copy of the Information Sheet and Consent Form for future reference.
I consent to (my child) being involved in this project.
Signed:
Date:
Relationship to child:
Name of child:
(Please delete the video/audio taping statement of consent if not applicable)
I consent to (my child) being video/audio taped in this project.
Signed:
Date:
Relationship to child:
Name of child:
Signature of child …………………………………………………………………
9 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
Appendix 5
Checklist of Research Attachments
Instructions to applicants:
 Please ensure that all necessary attachments are enclosed and the materials to be reviewed are accurately and clearly
provided.
Project Title:
Principal Researcher:
#
Research Attachment Description
Which of the
following are
enclosed?
 Please double
click to check
the relevant box.
1
Research undertaking (completed and signed)
2
Child-related Employment Screening verification
dated within the past 3 years (Refer to the Procedure
Yes
No
Yes
No
……
……
document, Section 4.2.4)
3
Insurance coverage
4
Application
form
and
approval
clearance
notification from the relevant Human Research
Ethics Committee (Note1: If currently not available
upon application please provide evidence of
submission. Note2: Include any documentation for
modifications to existing research applications
approved by HRECs) (Refer to the Procedure document,
Yes
No
Yes
No
……
……
Section 4.3.5)
5
6
7
Letter to the principal, director or site manager
requesting approval to conduct research in their
site
Yes
No
……
Separate information sheets for teachers/staff,
parents/guardians and students (where applicable)
for attachment to the letter of consent to
participants,
and
letter
of
request
to
principal/director/site manager (Refer to Appendix 3 & 4)
Letter of consent to be completed by the
participants, including signatures for video/audio
taping if applicable (Refer to Procedure document, Section
Yes
No
……
Yes
No
……
Letter of consent to be completed and signed by
parents/guardians/carers
and
students
(if
applicable), including signatures for video/audio
taping if applicable, (Refer to Appendix 4)
Yes
No
……
Questionnaire or survey questions and lists of
interview/focus group discussion questions
and any other research instruments (Refer to
Yes
No
……
4.3.4 and Appendix 4)
8
9
Procedure document, Section 4.3.2)
10 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014
If ‘No’ please
specify details of
reasons below
Appendix 6
Keywords List
Instructions to applicants:
 Please select from the keywords listed provided. In cases where an appropriate keyword not listed below would provide a
more specific or relevant description, please include it on the application form field required.
Aboriginal
Accountability
Achievement/Assessment
Assessment
Attitudes
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Behaviour/Social
Boys Issues
Child Abuse
Child Development
Child Protection
Children under the guardianship of the Minister
Children's Learning
Children's Memory And Suggestibility
Classroom Issues
Cognitive Ability Test
Comparative Education
Country/Isolation
Criminology
Curriculum
Curriculum - Health
Curriculum - Civics And Citizenship
Curriculum Issues - General
Curriculum - English
Curriculum -Health And PE
Curriculum - Languages
Curriculum - LOTE
Curriculum-Mathematics
Curriculum - Pre-Schools
Curriculum - Science
Curriculum - Society/Environment
Curriculum - Technology
Curriculum - The Arts
Disability
Early Childhood Care
Early Childhood Development
Early Childhood Education
Educational Disadvantage Issues
Educational Psychology
Ecological Sustainability
E-Learning
Employment
Engagement
Equity/Access
Essential Learning
Families SA
Family Day Care
Family Preservation
Foster Care
Gender Issues
Gifted Students
Girls Issues
Health Issues
Health Management
History Of Education
ICT Education
Inclusion
Indigenous
Information Technology
International
Inter-Personal Aggression
Kinship Care
Labour Force
Leadership
Learning Strategies
Learning Technologies
Literacy
Mathematics
Mental Health
Middle Schooling
Multicultural
Music
Non-English Speaking Background Issues
Numeracy
Occupational Health & Safety
Organisation Issues
Out of home care
Other
Parenting
Parent-Teacher Interactions
Participation
Partnerships
Personnel Issues
Pedagogy
Policy Issues
Post-School
Poverty/Disadvantage Issues
Pre-Schools
Professional Development
Psychology
Resources
Retention
School Learning Environment
School Reform
School Violence
School-Community Relations
School - Industry
Small Business
Social Work
Socio-economic status
Speech Sound Skills
Speed Of Processing/Cognitive Abilities
Standards/Benchmarks
Student Learning
Student Management/Support
Student Engagement
Teacher Development
Teaching English As A Second Language
Technology
Transitions
Values, Ethics
Vocabulary Development
Vocational Education
Wellbeing
Youth
11 | Appendix 1-6, Conducting Research and Evaluation in DECD sites Procedure | Aug 2014