Identifying Scientifically Based Research
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SERVE Center for Continuous Improvement in Education
The watchwords in education these days are "scientifically based research" and "evidence-based practice." There is growing emphasis on using products and practices that have been validated through rigorous research. But what does rigorous research look like? In this section, "scientifically based research" (SBR) is defined and how educators can determine the validity of research claims is explained. Information at this site answers two main questions:
- What is Scientifically Based Research?
- What are the Criteria for Judging the Quality of Research?
BIG Ideas in Reading
Contains the most up-to-date information to help schools select scientifically base reading programs.
An Educator's Guide to Scientifically Based Research
The Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) has complied the Educator's Guide to address important questions such as, Why is scientifically based research in education such a hot topic today? How should research evidence be evaluated?
It includes criteria for scientific research as set forth by No Child Left Behind and the National Research Council. You’ll also find the seven steps to conducting scientifically based research (SBR) as well as ways to identify high quality researchers.
The Florida Center for Reading Research conducts research into best practices for teaching reading, and disseminates the results on their website.
Northwest Central Regional Educational Laboratory produces Learning Point Magazine. The Spring 2003 issue focused on the emphasis on scientifically based research.
Northwest Education examines "The Science of Quality: Education Research in School Reform." The articles and essays offer sometimes disparate but important viewpoints from practitioners and researchers who are doing and using research for the advancement of education. Together, they are bringing pearls of evidence to the important task of teaching young minds based on sound science.
What Works Clearinghouse
On an ongoing basis, the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) collects, screens, and identifies studies of the effectiveness of educational interventions (programs, products, practices, and policies). We review the studies that have the strongest design, and report on the strengths and weaknesses of those studies against the WWC Evidence Standards so that you know what the best scientific evidence has to say.
The Partnership for Reading
A major initiative to identify quality reading instruction research began with the work of the National Reading Panel between 1997 and 2000. The Panel, established by Congress, examined the available research and identified 460 studies that met its criteria for research quality. This database contains abstracts of these studies and will continue to add more abstracts on a regular basis as new studies into reading instruction are conducted and reviewed. The database is organized into seven categories related to the teaching of reading Explore the research and read abstracts on topics of interest and relevance to your work with children and adults.