Research Requirements

Please ensure the following information is accurately entered in the online application form:

• Proposal Title
• Submitter Name and Institution
• Primary Researcher Name and Email Address
• Proposed Start and End Dates
• Potential Schools and Participants
  • Include school(s), age groups, grade levels, and relevant demographics and the reason for the targeted engagement
• Time and Scheduling Requirements
  • Indicate when research activities will occur (before, during, or after school)
  • Describe expected time commitments for students, staff, and parents
  • Include total duration and frequency of participation (e.g., hours per session, sessions per week)
• Project Benefits
  • Describe benefits of conducting research or how it benefits our district
• Research Statement
  • Outline research questions, issues, and hypotheses
• Design and Methodology
  • Describe research design, questions, scope, and significance
  • Specify participant numbers and roles, data collection, and analysis methods
  • Include confidentiality procedures and data disposal plans
• Research Instruments
  • Include copies of surveys, assessments, or other tools used in the study
• Consent Materials
  • Include copies of any letters or forms that will be sent to students, staff, parents, or community members
• Current Approvals
  • If the project potentially includes human subjects research, the researcher must receive approval or ‘exception status’ from an Institutional Review Board in order to apply to conduct research in the district. 

Please ensure compliance with the following policies:

• Supervision and Background Checks
  • Researchers not employed by SPS must be under the direct sight and sound supervision of licensed SPS staff while working with students
  • A volunteer background check is required prior to any student interaction
• Confidentiality and Data Security
  • Protecting participant privacy is a top priority
  • All data must be non-personally identifiable and securely stored
• Final Results Submission
  • A copy of the final research results must be submitted to the District upon project completion
• Staff Communication Protocol
  • Researchers must not contact principals, teachers, or other school staff before receiving formal approval
  • If your proposal is approved, the committee will contact schools to identify an appropriate point of contact for you.  The name of the designated school contact will be included in the official approval letter.

Once submitted, applications will be reviewed according to the following timeline:

*Proposals received after April 1 will be reviewed the following school year on September 1

Springfield Public Schools will review research applications with a focus on minimizing disruptions to the school environment and instructional time. In addition, the evaluation process will consider the overall research design, including protocols for maintaining confidentiality; the anticipated impact on staff and students; the scope of current initiatives within the district; and the current research projects. The review will also take into account the project's alignment with district priorities, available capacity to support new research, and whether data collection methods are appropriate for the age, developmental level, and language proficiency of participating subjects.

Please note that not all applications will be approved, and there is no appeals process. Approval does not guarantee participation; involvement from staff, parents, and students remains entirely voluntary.