1. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) encourages research which is in the best interests of education and will consider any meaningful research project in this regard.
2. The Directorate: Education Research was established on 1 January 2001 and is responsible for identifying, conducting, co-ordinating, facilitating and recommending research in a professional, systematic and objective manner. It also evaluates and considers research requests.
3. The following committees have been established to deal with research matters within the WCED:
3.1 RESEARCH COMMITTEE

This committee meets for an hour on every first and third Friday of the month, and in extreme cases when a decision has to be made without delay.
3.1.1 COMPOSITION

  • Director: Education Research (DER)

  • Officials in the Directorate: Education Research
3.1.2 FUNCTIONS
  1. All documentation relating to the research projects/requests is presented for discussion.
  2. The documentation is studied and queries are clarified.
  3. The practical implementation of the projects or requests in respect of the availability of researchers, infrastructure, funding (where applicable) is evaluated. The possible impact of the proposed projects or requests on the education system is evaluated.
  4. The possible impact of the proposed projects or requests on the education system is evaluated.
  5. The proposed research projects are approved/rejected/revision is requested.
  6. Research projects to be approved by the WCED Research Steering Committee are prepared for the monthly meetings of that committee.
3.2 RESEARCH STEERING COMMITTEE

This committee meets for an hour, six times per annum.
3.2.1 COMPOSITION
  • Deputy Director-General: Education Planning and Development (DDG:E)
  • Chief Director: Education Support and Development (HDP) - Chairperson
  • Chief Director: Regional Services Rural (HDR)
  • Chief Director: Regional Services Metropole (HDM)
  • Chief Director: Education Planning (HDB)
  • Director: Education Research (DER)
  • Officials in the Directorate: Education Research
3.2.2 FUNCTIONS
  1. All documentation relating to research projects and requests, together with recommendations, are received from the Research Committee five days before the monthly meeting.
  2. Documentation is studied and queries are clarified.
  3. The practical implementation of the projects or requests in respect of the availability of researchers, infrastructure, funding (where applicable) is discussed.
  4. The possible impact of the proposed projects or requests on the education system is discussed and determined.
  5. The proposed research projects are approved/rejected/revision is requested.
  6. Reports and copies of dissertations and theses are evaluated and any possible implementation discussed before it is recommended to Top Management.
3.3 RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

This committee meets biannually for two hours at a time.

3.3.1 COMPOSITION
  • Superintendent-General (SG)
  • Deputy Director-General: Education Planning and Development (DDG:E)
  • Deputy Director-General: Operational Education Management (DDG:O)
  • Deputy Director-General: Corporate Management (DDG:A)
  • Chief Director: Education Support and Development (HDP)
  • Chief Director: Regional Services: Rural (HDR)
  • Chief Director: Regional Services: Metropole (HDM)
  • Chief Director: Education Planning (HDB)
  • Director: Education Research (DER)
  • Officials in Directorate: Education Research
  • Deans/Heads of faculties or departments/Heads of Research Units
3.3.2 FUNCTIONS
  1. Research projects are reviewed and discussed.
  2. Possible future research needs or projects are identified.
  3. Collaborative research between WCED and tertiary institutions is discussed.
4. RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PROPOSALS
4.1

If the Directorate: Education Research identifies a need for research and conducts its own research or has it conducted by means of a service provider, the procedure is as follows:
4.1.1 The need for research is identified.
4.1.2 An appropriate research project is prepared and documented.
4.1.3 All documentation relating to the research project is presented to the WCED Steering Committee for evaluation five days before the monthly meeting.
4.1.4 The practical implementation of the project in respect of the availability of researchers, infrastructure and funding, is determined by the committee.
4.1.5 The proposed research project is approved/rejected/revision is requested.
4.2 If another Directorate of the WCED identifies a need and wishes to conduct research, the procedure is as follows:
4.2.1 The relevant Directorate identifies the need for research.
4.2.2 Documentation is prepared and presented to the Directorate: Education Research for perusal and the co-ordination of research projects.
4.2.3 All documentation relating to the research project, together with the recommendation of the Directorate: Education Research, is presented to the WCED Steering Committee for perusal five days before the monthly meeting.
4.2.4 The proposed research project is approved/rejected/revision is requested.
4.3 If research requests are received from individuals, institutions or organisations, the procedure is as follows:
4.3.1 Written applications are sent to the Directorate: Education Research.
4.3.2 All literature pertaining to this request is collected and studied. If a request is inadequate or contains contentious material, there is interaction with the applicant.
4.3.3 Appropriate revision and amendments could be requested.
4.3.4 Should the research proposal fall within the ambits of a specific Directorate, it is referred to that Directorate for perusal and a recommendation.
4.3.5 Should the research proposal satisfy all requirements, it is either approved by the Research Committee or referred to the Research Steering Committee for consideration.
4.3.6 Should the research proposal not meet all the requirements, approval could be withheld until the requested revision has been completed.
5. PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AT DEPARTMENTAL INSTITUTIONS
5.1 Written applications for permission to conduct the proposed research must be submitted by the researcher or project leader two months (or more) in advance, to

THE HEAD: EDUCATION
(FOR ATTENTION: DIRECTOR: EDUCATION RESEARCH)
WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
PRIVATE BAG X9114
CAPE TOWN
8000
5.2 Prospective researchers must bear the following in mind:
5.2.1 Departmental approval for the proposed research must be obtained before any WCED institution or official may be approached to co-operate in such research.
5.2.2 The application must include the following:

  1. The full title of the research project.

  2. A concise description of the research project.

  3. If questionnaires, interview and/or tests are to be used in the investigation, copies of such questionnaires, structured questions or test questions, with written approval by the supervisor/project head. When preparing these questionnaires, prospective researchers must take the sensitivity of the contents into account since respondents such as the WCED, educators, lecturers, learners, students, governing bodies and parents may not be offended or embarrassed by them.

  4. The names of the departmental institution(s) where the research is to be conducted.

  5. Respondents (i.e. learners or educators) to be involved in the research project.

  6. The period during which the research will be conducted at departmental institutions.
5.3 After approval to conduct research has been granted by the WCED, the following conditions would normally be applicable:
5.3.1 There must not be any financial implications for the WCED.
5.3.2 Institutions and respondents must not be identifiable in any way from the results of the investigation.
5.3.3 The researcher must make all the arrangements concerning his/her investigation.
5.3.4 Prospective researchers must present a copy of the written approval of the WCED to the head of the institution concerned before any research may be undertaken.
5.3.5 In the case of some research projects it will be necessary for the applicant to obtain the written permission of the parents or legal guardians concerned personally before learners/students are involved.
5.3.6 Research may not be conducted during official contact time, as educators’ programmes should not be interrupted, except in exceptional cases and with the special approval of the WCED.
5.3.7 Should the researcher wish to extend the period of research after approval has been granted, an application to do this must be directed to the Director: Education Research.
5.3.8 The research may not be conducted during the fourth school term, except in cases where the WCED deems it necessary to undertake research at schools during that period. This would have to be evaluated and determined by the Research Steering Committee.
5.3.9 The research will be limited to those schools or institutions for which approval has been granted.
5.3.10 A copy of the completed report, dissertation or thesis, accompanied by a separate synopsis (maximum 2 - 3 typed pages) of the most important findings and recommendations if it does not already contain a synopsis, must be provided to the Director: Education Research.
6. GENERAL
6.1 Adherence to the departmental guidelines and procedures will ensure a prompt response to research applications.
6.2 From time to time the WCED will conduct its own research in order to keep abreast of recent developments, to provide support and to ensure educator, learner and curriculum development. It may also conduct research in collaboration with tertiary institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other organisations. In such cases schools will be suitably selected, i.e. on the basis of their size, heterogeneity, circumstances, etc. according to the type of research and the intended outcome of the survey.
6.3 Should a school be selected to participate in such a research study (paragraph 6.2), the principal and the staff will be expected to give their full support. Such research is to the benefit of all educational institutions and could play a quintessential role in solving problems, as well as in introducing and implementing innovative management systems and effective teaching practice.
6.4 The WCED has a special responsibility towards parents, learners, students, departmental officials and institutions. The right of participants in research projects to privacy, anonymity, confidentiality and respect for human dignity must be honoured at all times.


SIGNED: R.B. SWARTZ
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:12:08