DPSS ePolicy

To convert existing policy to new writing style only - No concept changes.

The policy and procedures outlined in this release apply to all students (including DPSS employee students) who are enrolled in educational programs and request access to departmental data/information.

Effective with this release, the Management and Research Services (MRS) Section will evaluate student research requests for impact on staff, workload, and the availability of the data being requested.

Special Limitations for Student Research Requests:

1. Students will not be given DPSS administrative data other than what is available in published State reports in aggregated form.
   
   
2. Students will not be given access to applicants or participants.
   
   
3. Students will not be given access to DPSS employees’ personal identifiers.
   
   
4. Students may have access to conduct surveys or interviews with DPSS employees if the research project is approved by the Department Head or Research, Evaluation and Quality Assurance Division (REQAD) Chief, whichever is appropriate.

Prior to submission of the research or class project, DPSS shall be provided an opportunity to review and comment to ensure the accuracy of the data/information.

DPSS periodically receives requests from students seeking data/information for class projects for high school, college, or graduate work. Students may request data/information available in published State reports and permission to conduct surveys or interviews with DPSS staff.

Term: Student Research.

Description: Research conducted by students, including DPSS employee students, as part of a class project or doctoral program.

Access to Participants’ Confidential Information: To maintain confidentiality, student requests for surveys or interviews involving applicants or participants will be denied. In addition, students will not be given access to applicants’/participants’ confidential information (e.g., name, address, telephone number and social security number) through DPSS administrative data.

Departmental Data and Access to Employees: Students may have access to data available in published State reports and may conduct surveys or interviews with DPSS employees if the research project is approved by the Department Head or REQAD Division Chief, whichever is appropriate.
 

Attachment A, “Student Research Request Protocols”

Attachment B, “State Reports”