RESEARCH POLICY

Signed:May 2006

Fasset CEO

INDEX

1)Purpose

2)Background: The Need for a Research Policy

3)Statutory Context

4)Principles

5)Procedure for Submitting Research Requests

6)Procedure for Responding to Research Requests

Annexure 1 – Research Request Form

Annexure 2 – Questions for the Review of Research Requests

1)Purpose

This policy has been developed to ensure that all parties and stakeholders to Fasset (including but not limited to government departments, the media, academic institutions, learners conducting research and registered employers with Fasset) are clear on the policies relating to requesting research and data.

2)Background: The Need for a Research Policy

Fasset receives requests for research and information from time to time. This includes requests for:

  1. Statistical data
  2. Confidential employer, learner, professional institute and training provider information
  3. Fasset databases
  4. Qualitative and quantitative information
  5. Data to be collected that is not currently collected by the Seta
  6. The completion of questionnaires and surveys
  7. The analysis and interpretation of data

3)Statutory Context

Fasset is not obliged to provide information to any stakeholders for research or other purposes except to Fasset formal stakeholders (these include but are not limited to the Department of Labour (DoL), SAQA and the National Treasury). The requests received from formal stakeholders must be in line with the Skills Development Act (1998), the Skills Development Levy Act (1999), the Public Finance Management Act (1998), Memorandums of Understanding and other applicable legislation.Requests from other parties may not be considered for, amongst others, the following reasons:

  1. The rights of employers, learners and others would be violated if individual databases are released.
  2. The impact on Fasset resources and capacity would be limiting.
  3. Fasset is not obliged to conduct additional research for organisations that are not official stakeholders as designated in terms of the Skills Development Act (SDA) (1998) as Amended and other applicable legislation.
  4. This policy does not include provision of information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act in terms of Section 14, which is covered separately in Fasset’s Proatia manual.

4)Principles

Given the background described above, Fasset believes that:

  1. On the release of information, an implicit confidentiality principle applies where the requester must adhere to professional secrecy.
  2. The requestor must maintain an accurate reflection of the information / research provided.
  3. Fasset will ensure that all stakeholders requesting information for research purposes are aware of the applicable sections of the Research Policy of Fasset.
  4. Fasset will process all requests in an unbiased and consistent manner.
  5. Research requests are those requests that do not include reports, publications and studies already conducted by Fasset and that are available from Fasset.
  6. Fasset understands the need for information and research, and in this spirit, welcomes all research requests. If the requests are not in line with the statutory context above, it is at Fasset’s discretion whether to implement the request or not.
  7. Factors such as time required to process the request, resources needed to process the request, the relevance of the research to Fasset and Fasset’s access to the outcome/results of the research request will be considered when evaluating the research request.

5)Procedure for Submitting Research Requests

The following section details the procedure for submitting research requests:

  1. Requests for information must be in the prescribed format as attached in Annexure 1 to this policy.
  2. Requestors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their research request.

6)Procedure for Responding to Research Requests

  1. Fasset will review research requests and will provide feedback to requestors according to Fasset’s external communication policy and this research policy.
  2. Fasset will log and keep a register of all requests that are received.
  3. If research requests are ambiguous, Fasset may consult the requestor for clarity.
  4. Fasset will respond to the requestor in writing, with regard to the outcome of the research request (Annexure 2 outlines the questions considered by Fasset when deciding whether to grant a request or not).

Annexure 1 – Research Request Form

Date of request
Title, first name & surname of requestor
Designation of requestor
Telephone number (work)
Cell phone number
Postal Address
Email Address
Name of organisation/ institution (if applicable)
Nature of the request
Reasons for requesting research
How will the research be used

I accept that I have a general duty to keep secret whatever I may learn in the course of any duties carried out on behalf of Fasset or using the information that Fasset has provided to me, and as such any personal matters, data, information, facilities, methods of operation, commercial analysis, calculations and other business secrets, where they are of such nature that others may use them in the course of their activities. This professional secrecy, which shall also prevail after the termination of my duty does not include the general professional knowledge and experience gained in the course of my duty.

I undertake not to copy or reproduce by any means, such secret or confidential documents for use otherwise than by the officials of Fasset, unless authorised or instructed to do so by Fasset.

I hereby declare that I will disclose any conflict of interest or duties to Fasset, as soon as practicable after I become aware of the relevant facts.

I will furnish Fasset with a copy or the final outcome of the research/data/information request.

Date
Place
Name
Signature of requestor

Annexure 2– Review of Research Requests

Nr / Criteria / Criteria Met / Comments
1 / Is the purpose of the research request is clearly stated? / Yes / No
2 / Will the information requested be used to promote personal interests? / Yes / No
3 / Will the information requested be of value to the Fasset sector? / Yes / No
4 / Will the outcome of the research be available to Fasset? / Yes / No
5 / Will the information request further the research and other goals of Fasset? / Yes / No
6 / Has the requestor been provided with the research policy? / Yes / No
7 / Will the request be drawing on extra time and resources of Fasset? / Yes / No
8 / Has the requestor completed Annexure 1? / Yes / No

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