1. The Department is committed to ensuring that the development, implementation and evaluation of its policies are based upon sound educational research. However it is also essential that these exercises do not impose unnecessary burdens on schools, LAs or children's services. Arrangements are in place to ensure that as part of the Research Approval Committee (RAC) process Star Chamber is informed of any research that may pose a potential burden on schools, LAs or children's services. More detail on the arrangements and responsibilities is available here (this links to the departmental Prism intranet site and is therefore only viewable to those working within the department). The Star Chamber's aim is that the potential burden on schools, LAs or children's services through Research Programme exercises is therefore suitably assessed.
   
   
2. A draft tender specification of each research programme should be sent to the Secretary to the Star Chamber. The specification will be assessed by the Star Chamber Secretariat and the Internal Scrutiny Group (ISG) to establish that measures are in place to minimise the burdens placed upon schools, LAs or children's services. At least five working days will be required to make the assessment.
   
   
3. Each tender specification must include the following form of words (or equivalent):
   
   "The Department seeks to minimise the data collection burdens on schools, Local Authorities (LAs) and children's services. Tenderers should therefore consider this when devising their proposals. The tender should include an explanation of why their proposals for the sample sizes suggested are necessary (e.g. numbers of teachers and schools).
   
   Tenders should also carefully consider how data collection burdens can be minimised. For example, that only absolutely essential data is requested. Data should be collected electronically if the schools, LAs and/or children's services prefer this. Questionnaires should be pre-populated wherever possible. Schools must be given at least four working weeks to respond to the exercise from the date that they receive the request. LAs should receive at least two weeks, unless they need to approach schools in which case they too should receive four weeks. Children's services are normally allowed two months to reply
   
   All tenders will be evaluated in respect of gathering high quality data with the minimum possible burden."
   
   
4. Once tenders have been received it will be the responsibility of the project managers to assess their compliance with the specification provisions relating to minimising burdens on schools, LAs and children's services. 

Information and data collection exercises funded by the Research Programme budget

1. As exercises should not impose unnecessary burdens on schools, LAs or children's services, all the principles and guidance on questionnaires also applies to research exercises funded by the DCSF Research Programme budget, where these involve collection of information or data from LAs, schools and/or children's services.
   
   
2. Where significant changes have been made to the proposals originally approved, completed templates need to be forwarded to the Star Chamber Secretariat for consideration.