Overall Process
We view our research projects as proceeding through four stages:
- Development
- Review
- Support
- Dissemination and Integration
Developing Research
These frameworks help us to guide conversations with colleagues on the district side when clarifying different departments' overarching research priorities.
The following resources support the collaborative design and development of a potential research project in partnership between researchers and district leaders.
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Process Guidelines for Developing Research [PDF]
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Meeting Agenda / Note-taking Template [GDoc - to copy]
Reviewing Research
We believe that engaging in rigorous research can provide a critical source of knowledge to guide decision-making, if that research meets our ABC’s:

Important Information
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Guidelines for Conducting Research [PDF]
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Explanations of Consent & Incentives for Research [under revision]
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Letter to External IRBs [PDF]: Why we require IRB approval prior to SFUSD review
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Review Process and Timeline [PDF]
Request Forms
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Application to Conduct Research [GForm]
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Amendment / Renewal [GForm] (to modify existing and approved projects)
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Data Request [GForm] (after receiving project approval)
Related Resources
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Administrators' ABC Research Review [PDF] (sample; to be completed internally by potential district sponsor of project)
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Research Review Template [PDF] (sample; to be completed internally by RPA reviewer of application)
Supporting Research
Engaging in research involves ongoing collaboration to ensure that the project is on track and will be able to produce useful information. Unexpected developments may require adapting the study design, data collection plans, or analytical approaches. Continued communication also supports collective sense-making of preliminary findings, which is strengthened by synthesizing the expertise of researchers and practitioners. The following resources help both research and practice partners with these processes.
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Process Guidelines for Supporting Research [PDF]
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Deliverables and Timeline Template [under construction]
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Meeting Agendas / Running Notes Template [GDoc - to copy]
Integrating Research
We believe it is important not just to disseminate research findings to seed ideas in new contexts, but also to integrate those findings into practice. The resources below provide guidance for effective communication of findings through a variety of written and visual formats, as well as through facilitated dialogue and interaction when interpreting the findings and their implications for action.
For Presentations
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Process Guidelines for Integrating Research [PDF]
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Meeting Agenda Template for Research Presentations [GDoc - to copy]
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Presentation Template [GSlides - to copy]
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Presentation Guidelines
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Resources for Interactive Discussions
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Post-presentation "exit ticket" [GForm - customize per presentation]
For Publications
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Research brief template [DocX]
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Submitting draft of research report for review [GForm] - REQUIRED