Colleton County Research Proposal Guidelines
All proposals along with the application on the district’s website for doing research within the district are to be submitted to the Office of Assessment and Accountability. Please submit the proposals at least 8 weeks prior to the time the study is to be conducted. Most proposals are reviewed within 6 weeks; however, during district and statewide testing and the summer months, proposals are not reviewed. A committee is comprised of the chair, Coordinator of Assessment and Accountability, and two other members from the district. Each committee member independently reviews research proposals with the following in mind:
- How does this study benefit the district?
- How sound is the design of the research project?
- What is the amount of time required of participants?
- What is the number of participants required?
- Should participants be compensated?
- What are the legal, physical, and psychological risks for the participants?
- How will participants be informed about the study?
All participation in research studies is voluntary. Schools, principals, teachers, and students who do not wish to participate have the right to refuse. No research may be conducted during statewide testing or during other times as specified by the district. The participants of research studies should receive and sign an informed consent form that acquaints them with the study. Parents of students asked to participate in research studies along with the students themselves when appropriate should be informed of the following:
- The project’s purpose
- Student selection process
- The procedure to be followed, including an easily understood, precise description of the child’s involvement
- Benefits to the student or district
- Possible physical, psychological, legal or other risk
- Whether students will be personally identifiable
- Right to inspect materials before consenting and the right to withdraw consent at any time
- The person to whom inquiries should be addressed
Consent forms must contain the following sentences:
- “I do not wish (my child) to participate” option
- The school district is neither sponsoring nor conducting this research
- There is no penalty for not participating
- Participants may withdraw from the study at any time without penalty
All proposals along with the completed application must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. You may also send one copy to the address below:
Mrs. Tracy McDonald
Coordinator of Assessment and Accountability
500 Forest Circle
Walterboro, South Carolina 29488
To download the Research Proposal Application, please see the link below:
Research Proposal Application