Overall Process
We view our research projects as proceeding through four stages:
- Development
- Submission and 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.
-
Process Guidelines for Developing Research [PDF]
-
Meeting Agenda / Note-taking Template [GDoc - to copy]
Submitting and 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
-
Guidelines for Conducting Research [PDF]
-
Explanations of Consent & Incentives for Research [under revision]
-
Letter to External IRBs [PDF]: Why we require IRB approval prior to SFUSD review
-
Review Process and Timeline [PDF]
Request Forms
-
To submit a new application, complete the documents below:
-
Form 1C (letter of support from thesis advisor for masters/doctoral students)
-
Form 1E1 (standard site visit clearance form)
-
Form 1E2 (COVID-19 clearance form)
-
Form 1F (approved research personnel)
-
Then submit completed documents to this Google Form for new applications.
-
To submit a request to modify an existing and approved project, please complete:
-
Amendment / Renewal [PDF]
-
You may also need to complete some of the same attachments as provided above.
-
Then submit completed documents to this Google Form for amendments and renewals.
-
-
To request data after receiving project approval, please complete:
-
Data Request [GForm]
-
Related Resources
-
Administrators' ABC Research Review [PDF] (sample; to be completed internally by potential district sponsor of project)
-
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.
-
Process Guidelines for Supporting Research [PDF]
-
Deliverables and Timeline Template [under construction]
-
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
-
Process Guidelines for Integrating Research [PDF]
-
Meeting Agenda Template for Research Presentations [GDoc - to copy]
-
Presentation Template [GSlides - to copy]
-
Presentation Guidelines
-
Resources for Interactive Discussions
-
Post-presentation "exit ticket" [GForm - customize per presentation]
For Publications
-
Research brief template [DocX]
-
Submitting draft of research report for review [GForm] - REQUIRED
Timeline for review
Please allow 8 weeks after submitting a completed application for the full review process, to ensure compliance with district priorities and regulations. Note that we do not accept new applications for review between March 15 and August 15. However, we may make some exceptions for projects where there is prior communication about an anticipated proposal.