FAQ: Teachers
What is Research Together?
Research Together is a brand new network that connects teachers and researchers with the common goal of producing high-quality education research. We believe that research in education has often overlooked teachers' perspectives and we want to change that. In creating Research Together, we aim to connect researchers conducting cutting-edge studies with teachers willing to share their perspectives.
How does it work?
You can sign up for the network by filling out a brief questionnaire that helps our researchers design their participant pool. Once you're in the network, you will receive email invitations to participate in up to two research studies a month. You are not obligated to accept every or any invitation - you can choose the studies in which you'd like to participate. Almost all studies will be online and can be completed form the comfort of your home. Your information will be safe with us. We will never sell your email address or any other information to anyone.
What are the studies like?
Studies will be about a variety of topics, but could include teacher strategies, teacher experience, classroom dynamics, the teacher-student relationship, etc. You will always be debriefed about the purpose and motivation for the research when you complete a study. Additionally, you will only be sent invitations for IRB-approved studies for which you qualify and are relevant to you .
Do I need special expertise?
As long as you are a PreK-12 teacher in the United States, you've already got it.
What's in it for me?
In addition to contributing your valuable experience to improving education-related research, participants will receive a small compensation for their time. On average, study compensation will be $20/hour and will often come in the form of a gift card (e.g. Amazon). However, you may occasionally be invited to participate in an unpaid "Quick Poll" of 5 minutes or less.
Can I join the network if I don't currently teach? Can I participate if I teach outside of the U.S.?
Currently, the Research Together Network is specifically designed for those who are or have been teachers, administrators, or staff members at preK-12 schools in the United States. If you are not currently working at a school but plan to return, we'd love to have you in the network! At this time we do not encourage people who are retired or do not plan to return to the classroom to join the network because we do not anticipate there will be studies for you to participate in. Though we are thrilled with the interest from international teachers, at this time we are focused on U.S.-based teachers.
What if I'm a principal/counselor/etc.?
Occasionally researchers will have studies that require the input of administrators in addition to teachers. You will have a chance in this questionnaire to enter your current position and you will only be invited to participate in studies that involve the administration.
FAQ: Researchers
What is Research Together?
Research Together is a brand new network that connects teachers and researchers with the common goal of producing high-quality education research. We believe that research in education has often overlooked teachers' perspectives and we want to change that. In creating Research Together, we aim to connect researchers conducting cutting-edge studies with teachers willing to share their perspectives.
What kinds of studies are run with the Research Together network?
Most of the studies can be completed from the comfort of the teachers' couch! Studies can be anything from surveys, tasks, or experiments focused on teacher opinions, responses, and perspectives. Everything sent to teachers should be IRB-approved by the researcher's home institution.
Can I specify participant parameters in my study?
Absolutely. When signing up for the network, teachers are asked to complete a short demographic questionnaire that includes information such as the grade and subject matter that they teach; whether their school is public or private; and the total population of their school. Once you've been approved to use the network, you can send your study to the subset of teachers in the network who fit your criteria.
Do I have to pay to use the Research Together network?
While access to the network is free, you are responsible for paying study participants. Teachers within the network expect to earn an average of $20/hour for the use of their time. If your study is 30 minutes, for example, you will need to show that you have funding to pay each teacher in your study $10.
How do I get access to the Research Together network?
In order to apply to use the network, we'll need some basic information about you and the study you plan to run. Click on the Contact button below.
