A-Z Policy Directory

Research in Catholic Schools

Policy

DOCUMENT DETAILS

Document Owner Directorate Services
Approval Date  12 February 2021
Release Date  12 July 2021
Compliance Date  12 July 2021
Review Date  1 July 2024

introduction and context

INTRODUCTION

Education Policy in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) is developed to support the implementation of consistent and comprehensive practices to guide quality Catholic learning and teaching in systemic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong.

Education Policy is developed within the context of documents and frameworks. These include:

CONTEXT

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong values the important contribution that the system, school and staff can make to educational research. Meaningful and authentic engagement has the potential to lead to the development of quality evidence-based theories and practices.

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong welcomes research projects within systemic schools with academic partners where it can be demonstrated that it will support the maintenance and improvement of the provision of quality Catholic learning and teaching in safe, supportive and respectful environments.

This Policy has been developed to support researchers and school staff in meeting their compliance obligations according to Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), and other relevant legislative requirements. 

EXPECTATIONS

It is expected that researchers and school staff will take all reasonable measure to comply with this Policy.

The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Research in Catholic Schools Policy must be implemented in conjunction with the following policies where relevant:

Catholic Education office RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Professional Officer Education Policy:

  • coordinates the approval process of applications for educational research that involve the system, schools, staff and/or students
  • consults with nominated schools in relation to Research applications
  • facilitates the CEDoW Research Committee which is representative of Directorate Services, Human Resource Services  and the relevant Service Area that provide expert knowledge relating to the focus of the proposed research to be conducted
  • provides advice in writing to the participating school principal(s) of the research project prior to the commencement of research
  • provides advice in writing of the final approval to conduct the research to the researcher
  • ensures that records are maintained of research applications and any subsequent research reports.

The CEDoW Research Committee:

  • reviews and processes submitted research applications assessing the provision of satisfactory evidence of the nature and standard of the research to be undertaken
  • considers the relevance and benefit of the research application to education, the impact of the research on schools and staff and the priorities of: the Office of the Bishop; Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong; Catholic Schools New South Wales (CSNSW); National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC); NSW or Australian Government; or a current employee
  • ensures there is evidence of Ethics Committee Approval from the relevant institution
  • makes a recommendation to the Head of Directorate Services and the CEDoW Leadership Team
  • ensures approval is denied for research that is to be undertaken primarily for commercial or material gain

1   applying for research approval

RESEARCHERS MUST:
1.1 seek approval from the Catholic Education Office (CEO) for any research project, prior to making contact with schools or commencing any aspect of the research
1.2

provide satisfactory evidence of the nature and standard of the research

1.3

demonstrate a clear understanding of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

1.4

complete and submit an Application to Conduct Research in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong  which includes

  1.4.1

Confidential Declaration by Principal Researcher

  1.4.2 Confidential Declaration by Additional Researcher(s) (where relevant)
  1.4.3

Agreement to provide research findings to Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong

1.5

provide with the Application a copy of the Ethics Committee Approval from the researcher's institutional body

       
school must:
1.6 refer all applications for research to be conducted in their schools to the Catholic Education Office (CEO) for approval prior to the commencement of the research
1.7 ensure they do not commission any research without seeking approval by the Catholic Education Office (CEO)
1.8 ensure research does not commence in their school until written approval is provided by the Catholic Education Office (CEO)
       
STAFF MUST:
1.9 seek approval from the Catholic Education Office (CEO) for any research project they wish to conduct (as a researcher) in systemic schools, prior to commencing any aspect of the research
       

2   CONDUCTING THE RESEARCH

RESEARCHERS MUST:
2.1 conduct the research in accord with their obligations, and in recognition of the obligation of the applicant research body under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and consequential regulations
2.2 conduct the research noting the special responsibilities associated with undertaking research  with children and young people, specifically the research body and the researcher's responsibilities and obligations under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 (NSW)
2.3 provide advice to the Catholic Education Office (CEO) of any variations to the Research application including the research methodology or timeline
       

3   REPORTING THE RESEARCH

RESEARCHERS MUST 
3.1 provide to Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), upon completion of the research, a copy of the research findings
3.2 provide to schools in which the research was conducted, upon completion of the research, a copy of the summary research findings
3.3 ensure that any publications of papers or research documents derived from the research acknowledges the cooperation of Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), and the staff and students of the school(s) involved
       

Procedure



 

Implementation

RESEARCH IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

POLICY RELEASE

  • The CEDoW Research in Catholic Schools Policy was released on 12 July  2021 and represents a reformatting of the previous policy.
  • Advice about the policy will be provided through the Gateway News - School Leaders Edition.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

  • Schools are expected to fully implement the Research in Catholic Schools Policy from 12 July 2021.
  • Any Principal that determines they will not be able to implement all Expectations from 12 July 2021 must contact Senior Professional Officer Education Policy.

POLICY MONITORING

  • Compliance to the Policy expectations will occur through a range of Compliance processes.
  • When appropriate the Policy will be amended.
  • A formal evaluation process of the CEDoW Research in Catholic Schools Policy will be conducted in July 2024.

POLICY PUBLICATION

  • The CEDoW Research in Catholic Schools Policy is published on the CEDoW website in the Policy Directory. The Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy will be responsible for ensuring the Policy’s version currency and accuracy.
  • Schools should contact the Senior Professional Officer:Education Policy for any clarifications regarding the CEDoW Research in Catholic Schools  Policy 

LEGISLATION

Australian Education Act 2013  (Cth)
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00012

Education Act 1990  (NSW)
https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1990/8

Privacy Act 1988  (Cth)
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2014C00076

Work Health and Safety Act 2011  (Cth)
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00293

Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998  (NSW)
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/act-1998-146

  

RELATED LINKS

 

Support Materials

POLICY SELF-ASSESSMENT

The Research in Catholic Schools Policy Self Assessment is provided to support schools in their implementation of all Policy expectations.

Download the Research in Catholic Schools Policy Self Assessment here [Download as a Word doc, or complete the self-assessment in Google doc format by selecting 'Open with Google Docs' then going to File > Make a Copy]