The following guidelines are directed to persons requesting permission to conduct research involving multiple schools within the San Diego Unified School District.

The district approves a limited number of studies annually. Stringent qualifying criteria have been set regarding eligibility to conduct research, the quality of the research proposal, the importance of the study topics to the district, how much time is required of students and/or staff, and in what schools the studies may take place.

Two broad categories of persons are eligible to conduct research studies: graduate students and persons already holding an earned doctorate or representing a research agency.

Researchers are subject to the following requirements:

• The study must be the master's thesis or doctoral dissertation, or the particular university's equivalent of these major research undertakings (graduate students only).

• The school district division/department head most closely associated with the topical area of research must endorse and sponsor the proposed study. This endorsement and sponsorship must be obtained prior to submission of application materials.
  • Endorsement is provision of a strong written statement of support for the proposed study, certifying that:
    • The study provides information the division/department vitally needs and actively seeks, and
    • In the endorser's opinion, the applicant possesses the requisite skills and resources to carry the study through successfully.

  • Sponsorship includes:
    • Attending the review of the proposal by district staff;
    • Drafting a binding Memorandum of Agreement upon approval of the research project, spelling out the respective responsibilities of the district, the sponsor, and the researchers;
    • Providing necessary help and guidance to the researcher following approval of the research; and
    • Ensuring that research is done as proposed.

• The study's methodology shall minimize demands on students and/or staff.

• Schools targeted for study shall not be heavily committed in other research studies and/or in special efforts to correct students' achievement deficit.

• Data-collection activities in schools must take into account schools' primary instructional mission and conflicting demands upon schools that may arise at certain times of the year (e.g., state-mandated testing).

These guidelines supplement Procedure 4930, which provides additional information regarding district policies, limitations on research topics, applicant responsibilities, and other provisions.

A panel of central office staff will review and decide once a month (usually the second Monday of each month--see schedule below) on those written proposals and endorsements received in the Research and Reporting Department at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. In most instances applicants will be expected to present their projects orally to the panel (a 5-10 minute presentation) and respond to questions at the review sessions. The Research and Reporting Department will inform each applicant whether s/he will be called upon for such a presentation. Each person submitting a proposal should be prepared to reserve 3-5 p.m. on the review date set for discussing his or her project with the review panel.

  In order to read and print these documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. A free copy of Acrobat Reader is available by following this link.

• Application Packet, Students for Advanced Degrees -- Multiple Schools
• Application Packet, Students for Advanced Degrees -- Single School
• Application Packet, Nondistrict Agencies and Professional Researcher -- Multiple Schools
• Application Packet, Nondistrict Agencies and Professional Researcher -- Single School
• Procedure 4930 -- Research Projects Involving the District, by Students for Advanced Degrees and by Nondistrict Agencies and Professional Researchers
• View a current list of approved research taking place in the district
• View SSC Roster 2006-2007

Contact the Research and Reporting Department at (619) 725-7193 for clarification of these guidelines.