Scientific research in schools

If you would like to carry out an educational or similar research project in a Hessian school, including as part of a qualification thesis, you must first obtain approval from the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Prior approval from the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs is required to carry out a scientific study in Hessian schools. This regulation applies to scientific research projects regardless of the subject area and the methods and instruments used. This includes questionnaires, competence tests, qualitative interviews, lesson observations and the like. Although approval by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs is a prerequisite for implementation, it does not replace the approval of the individual school for implementation. The school conference must always be consulted on the research project before the school management agrees to participate. The consultation of the school conference can take place independently of the application procedure in accordance with § 84 of the Hessian School Act. The approval procedure pays particular attention to compliance with data protection regulations, as surveys and similar data collections in schools generally involve the collection of personal or personally identifiable data. It is also checked whether the methods and content of the survey concern sensitive issues and whether there is a risk that the peace at school or the educational mission of the schools will be impaired.

Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs

Department I.4

Luisenplatz 10

65185 Wiesbaden

Erhebungen.hkm@kultus.hessen.de

• Application,
• Storage and deletion concept
• Project description
• School conference resolution (depending on the application, the respective consent of those affected, example: declaration of consent from pupils, parents, teachers or head teacher)

Applications can be submitted by employees of scientific research institutes or scientific universities as well as by students there.

§ Section 84 of the Hessian School Act in the version published on June 30, 2017 (GVBl. p. 150), last amended by the Act of September 29, 2020 (GVBl. p. 706).

An action to compel may be brought before the Wiesbaden Administrative Court against the refusal to approve a scientific research project.

As soon as all the necessary documents have been submitted, the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs examines the application in terms of data protection and school-related aspects. In particular, it will check whether the project is likely to impair the educational mission of the schools concerned or disrupt school peace.

If the survey is not commenced within two years of the approval being granted, the approval loses its validity.

Maximum 3 months

None.