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SMART: Learner Form
PSL Scientific Merit Action Research Template (SMART) Form (Research Plan)
Scientific Merit Process
Learners who are doing action research for their dissertation will use this form to go through the process of scientific merit review. The goals of this process are: (1) to facilitate the planning of the details of your action research project, (2) to ensure that the proposed project has rigor and allows for scientific merit review, and (3) to facilitate your progress through the dissertation. This is not an addition to your dissertation but a step to assist you in obtaining mentor, committee, school, and IRB approval more efficiently. You must obtain mentor, committee, and school approval of your research plan before submitting your IRB application.
Scientific Merit Criteria
The following criteria will be used to establish scientific merit. The purpose of the review will determine if the proposed project:
1. Contributes to society by improving a practice.
2. Documents need for change by utilizing evidence-based needs assessment.
3. Meets certain “hallmarks” of a good action research project including:
· Action research design:
· Practical.
· Participatory.
· Defined action plan.
Scientific Merit Approval
Your completed SMART form will be approved, not approved, or deferred for major or minor revisions. Your committee will use a checklist to determine if the study meets the criteria for scientific merit and the committee will provide specific feedback designed to identify any issues related to the scientific merit that must be resolved. You will have up to three opportunities to submit this form for committee approval.
Obtaining scientific merit approval does not guarantee you will obtain IRB approval. The IRB review will focus on ethical issues. A detailed ethical review will be conducted during the process of IRB approval.
Recommendations for How to Use This Form
The SMART form is intended to help you and your mentor plan the design and details of your dissertation. Once your mentor approves your SMART form, your entire committee will review the form for scientific merit. After the entire committee approves your SMART form, it will be submitted for school approval. It is recommended that you use this form in a step-by-step way to help plan your design. Expect that you will go through a few revisions before your mentor and committee approve this form.
Tips for filling out the SMART form:
· Prepare your answers in a separate Word document for ease of editing and revision.
· Copy and paste items into the right-hand fields when they are ready.
· Retain the descriptions in the left column.
· Keep the form unlocked for ongoing editing and revision.
· Leave no blank spaces in the form. If an item does not apply to your study, type “NA” in its field.
· Read the item descriptions carefully. Items request very specific information. Be sure you understand what is asked (Good practice for your IRB application!).
· Use primary sources to the greatest extent possible as references. Textbooks (Patton, Leedy and Ormrod, and so on) are not acceptable as the only references supporting methodological and design choices. Use them to locate the primary sources.
Upcoming Milestone Steps:
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Milestone Group 1 · Milestone 1: Learner Completed CITI Modules · Milestone 2: School approved topic (Sections 1 & 2 of SMART form) · Milestone 3: Mentor Approved Research Plan (complete SMART form)
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Milestone Group 2 · Milestone 4: Committee Approved Research Plan · Milestone 5: School Approved Research Plan · Milestone 6: University Approved IRB · Milestone 7: Committee Conference Call
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SMART Learner Form
SECTION #1 |
To be completed by learner |
1.1 Learner Name |
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1.2 Learner Program |
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1.3 Learner Email |
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1.4 Learner Phone |
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1.5 Mentor Name and Email |
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1.6 Committee Member #1 Name and Email |
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1.7 Committee Member #2 Name and Email |
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1.8 Dissertation Title |
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1.9 Site Selected |
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1.10 Contact Info for Site Approver and Expected Approval Date |
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SECTION #2 |
To be completed by learner |
2.1 ProjectWrite one paragraph that describes the action research project and the basis for it being addressed. |
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2.2 Contribution to Society: Using citations, answer the following questions in the order provided:
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1. How does your project improve a current practice? |
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2. If your action research project is successful, how could your project impact your field of interest? |
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3. What are the practical implications of your project? For example, what will be the impact of this project on your sample, your site location, or your workplace? |
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2.3 Need and Evidence to Make ChangeProvide current information on your needs assessment or analysis for change. Include the cost-benefit analysis if indicated by design. |
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2.4 Theoretical Foundation Describe the theory or theories that serve as the backbone of your project. Provide references for each theory. |
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2.5 Researcher Positionality · Insider · Insider with collaboration · Reciprocal collaboration · Outsider, collaboration with insiders Define your role, position, and how positionality will affect your research study. |
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2.6 Research Questions and Project Objectives List the research questions or project goals. These should align with the need for organizational structure or project activities and outcomes. |
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TOPIC APPROVAL |
1. At this point, seek topic approval from mentor. 2. Mentor will submit mentored approved sections 1 and 2 to the school for approval of topic to [email protected] . 3. After school topic approval, complete the remainder of the SMART form. |
SECTION #3 |
To be completed by learner |
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3.1 Action Plan Provide detailed steps to implement your research plan. This should read like a recipe for conducting your project. Be sure to include all the necessary details so someone else would be able to follow this and replicate the project exactly. |
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3.2 Results Describe your program evaluation and dissemination of results plan. |
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3.3. Measures and Instruments List and describe each data collection instrument or measurement tool you will use, such as questionnaires, formal interview protocols, and forms. Include: · Data type(s) generated by each measure. · Available psychometric information (including validity and reliability coefficients). · How this data will be used. Attach a copy of each instrument you plan to use as an appendix to your SMART form. |
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3.4 If Modifying an Instrument: Describe any pilot test or field test that may be required for any instruments. Type NA if not applicable. Field tests must be done: · For new instruments or questions developed by the learner. · With expert panelists. Field tests require no IRB review. A pilot test requires IRB review. |
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3.5 Assumptions Identify the key assumptions of the project; use citations to support their adoption. |
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3.6 Limitations Identify the current weaknesses of your project. Indicate areas to be improved before starting your project and areas that cannot be improved. Give reasons for not redesigning to address any of the limitations identified. |
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3.7 Population and Sampling Describe the key stakeholders or population of your project. Briefly describe the characteristics of this sample, including: · Demographics · Inclusion criteria, if any · Exclusion criteria, if any Describe how you plan to select the sample. Include the steps you will take to include participants. |
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3.8 Sample Size What is the expected sample size? Provide citations to support the sample size decision. |
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3.9 Expected Site Describe the organization, site, or sites from which you expect to draw your sample. |
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3.10 Site Permission Who is authorized to provide permission to use this organization or site? Does the site have an IRB? What must you do to obtain permission to access the stakeholders, population, or data source? |
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3.11 Participant Contact How will potential participants be contacted initially? How will participants be contacted following the study? |
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3.12 Data Analysis Describe analysis procedures for each data type such as audiotapes, transcripts, videotape, field notes, photos, descriptive analysis, and other quantitative analysis. Describe all methods and procedures for data analysis including: · Types of data to be analyzed. · Organization of raw data. · Data management and processing. · Preparation of data for analysis. · Data storage and protection.
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3.13 Ethical Considerations · Describe any ethical considerations given the sample population and/or topic. Please explain as fully as possible. · Describe any ethical concerns about defined researcher positionality. Address any potential for coercion. |
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3.14 Risk Assessment Is your study more than minimal risk? Refer to your CITI course for more information about minimal risk. Please explain. |
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To be completed by mentor |
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Mentor Name |
Member #1 Name |
Member #2 Name |
Date and reason for deferral if needed |
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Topic Approval |
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SMART Approval |
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First Review |
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Second Review (if needed) |
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Third Review (if needed) |
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Faculty Chair consult (if needed) |
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Notes: |
Please attach the formal letter requesting permission and letter of approval (on letterhead) to the end of this SMART form prior to submission for School approval.
Mentors: Once you submit Milestone #4 – Committee Approved SMART form – please send this completed SMART form to: [email protected] for school approval.
Version 1.1 effective Jan 2017 1
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