Application Needed to Conduct Research at Heartland or in Heartland Schools

Did you know that if universities or Heartland staff members want to conduct research (including theses, dissertations or grant work) at Heartland or in Heartland schools, there is an application that must be completed?

What?
• “Research” includes, but is not limited to, requests from external organizations, such as colleges, universities, and other organizations (but excluding the Iowa Department of Education) and AEA 11 employees to (a) use or access AEA 11 resources (e.g., staff, student records, AEA 11 data), (b) conduct a thesis or dissertation, or (c) engage in grant work (e.g., write letters of support or commitment, FTE allocation).
• Research does not include programmatic planning, needs assessment for district planning, program evaluation, or direct services to children and youth.

Who?
• External organizations (e.g., colleges and universities, undergraduate or graduate students wanting to collect thesis or dissertation data)
• All current AEA 11 employees wanting to collect thesis or dissertation data (even if LEA approval has already been obtained)
• All current AEA 11 employees wanting to conduct research outside of their everyday work routine (not to fulfill thesis or dissertation requirements)

Why?
• To protect the rights and welfare of staff and students who are the subjects of research
• To ensure the research follows ethical guidelines
• To protect Heartland staff and clients from potential infringements on their time or resources
• To gain awareness of activities associated with Heartland
• To ensure our LEA partners are aware of research activities

If you fall under the “who” category above, you must complete an application to conduct research at Heartland. If you are engaged in a thesis or dissertation or other project and did not complete an application, please let Alecia Rahn-Blakeslee know as soon as possible (see contact information below).

To obtain the application, please go to the Employee Dashboard and log in. Click on the Intranet tab. The application will be under Survey/Assessment/Research. For questions about the application, please contact Alecia, Program Assistant for Innovation, at arahn@aea1.k12.ia.us or ext. 14623. Thank you for your cooperation!