Surveys and surveys in schools
Surveys and surveys in schools
Guidance framework for surveys and surveys in schools
As part of research work, as well as student coursework and examinations, surveys and questionnaires are increasingly being carried out in schools by university staff and students involved in research and teaching. Surveys and surveys of this kind require authorisation, for which specific legal requirements must be met. The relevant legal basis here is the so-called "Runderlass des MK zu Umfragen und Erhebungen in Schulen" (circular decree of the MK on surveys and polls in schools).
At the level of the state of Lower Saxony, a handout including form templates, the so-called orientation framework, has been developed to ensure that the decree is implemented in accordance with the decree.
For the Oldenburg location, internal university coordination is carried out by the Didactic Centre, which provides the guidelines and form templates.
The following orientation framework is aimed at all persons working in research and teaching as well as students who, in the context of
- research work with the option of publication ("major procedure") or
- student examinations and credits ("small procedure")
carry out, supervise or advise on surveys and surveys in schools.
It is strongly recommended that you read the handout carefully and completely before using the form templates in order to obtain a basic orientation in terms of content and subject matter.
Documents on the orientation framework
" Handout for surveys and questionnaires in schools
The handout serves as a central information tool for conducting surveys and questionnaires in general education schools in compliance with the decree. It was substantially revised and updated in 2024.
The guide is structured as follows:
- Introduction to the use of the guide
- Introduction to the standards for data collection
- Introduction to the legal basis for surveys and surveys at general education schools
- Process instructions for the procedure within the framework of
student examinations and credits ("small procedure")
" 1aFormularklVF_oBT_Schulleitung_Stand_2021_11_16
Form template for student examinations and credits without photo, audio or
video recordings: To the school management
" 1bFormularklVF_mBT_Schulleitung_Stand_2021_11_16
Form template for student examinations and credits with photo, sound
or video recordings: To the school management
Research work with the option of publication ("major procedure")
" 2a_Formular_grVF_oBT_Schulleitung_2021_Stand_2021_11_16
Form template in the context of research work with the option of publication without photo,
sound or video recordings: To the school management
" 2b_Formular_grVF_mBT_Schulleitung_Stand_2021_11_16
Form template as part of research work with the option of publication with photo, sound
or video recordings: To the school management
- Notes on obtaining authorisations/consents
- Tips/hints for submitting applications and collecting data
- Sample templates for requesting authorisation from parents/guardians
Commission for Research Assessment and Ethics ("Ethics Commission")
Researchers must take all measures to ensure the well-being, interests and rights of the subjects at all times. To this end, researchers should obtain a favourable opinion from the Commission for Research Assessment and Ethics ("Ethics Committee") before commencing a research project involving human subjects in order to rule out all ethical and legal risks. This applies in particular and without exception, especially if the research project involves particularly sensitive data focussing on aspects such as origin, political/religious/ideological beliefs, sexual orientation or health data.
Before consulting the ethics committee, (doctoral) students should seek advice from their supervising university lecturers in order to clarify the necessity of a proposal for an ethical vote by the ethics committee.
Information on the procedure and the necessary application documents can be found on the website of the Commission for Research Assessment and Ethics:
https://uol.de/senat/forschungsfolgenabschaetzung-und-ethik