Definitions
In this subchapter:
In general
Outlying areas
Freely associated states
Applied research
The term “applied research” means research—
to gain knowledge or understanding necessary for determining the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met; and
that is specifically directed to the advancement of practice in the field of education.
Basic research
The term “basic research” means research—
to gain fundamental knowledge or understanding of phenomena and observable facts, without specific application toward processes or products; and
for the advancement of knowledge in the field of education.
Board
Bureau
Comprehensive center
Department
Development
Director
Dissemination
Early childhood educator
Field-initiated research
Historically Black college or university
Institute
Institution of higher education
National research and development center
Provider of early childhood services
The term “provider of early childhood services” means a public or private entity that serves young children, including—
child care providers;
Head Start agencies operating Head Start programs, and entities carrying out Early Head Start programs, under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.);
preschools;
kindergartens; and
libraries.
Scientifically based research standards
The term “scientifically based research standards” means research standards that—
apply rigorous, systematic, and objective methodology to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education activities and programs; and
present findings and make claims that are appropriate to and supported by the methods that have been employed.
The term includes, appropriate to the research being conducted—
employing systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment;
involving data analyses that are adequate to support the general findings;
relying on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable data;
making claims of causal relationships only in random assignment experiments or other designs (to the extent such designs substantially eliminate plausible competing explanations for the obtained results);
ensuring that studies and methods are presented in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, to offer the opportunity to build systematically on the findings of the research;
obtaining acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal or approval by a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective, and scientific review; and
using research designs and methods appropriate to the research question posed.
Scientifically valid education evaluation
The term “scientifically valid education evaluation” means an evaluation that—
adheres to the highest possible standards of quality with respect to research design and statistical analysis;
provides an adequate description of the programs evaluated and, to the extent possible, examines the relationship between program implementation and program impacts;
provides an analysis of the results achieved by the program with respect to its projected effects;
employs experimental designs using random assignment, when feasible, and other research methodologies that allow for the strongest possible causal inferences when random assignment is not feasible; and
may study program implementation through a combination of scientifically valid and reliable methods.
Scientifically valid research
Secretary
State
Technical assistance
The term “technical assistance” means—
assistance in identifying, selecting, or designing solutions based on research, including professional development and high-quality training to implement solutions leading to—
improved educational and other practices and classroom instruction based on scientifically valid research; and
improved planning, design, and administration of programs;
assistance in interpreting, analyzing, and utilizing statistics and evaluations; and
other assistance necessary to encourage the improvement of teaching and learning through the applications of techniques supported by scientifically valid research.