Research Approval Process
The Texas A&M University Children’s Centers at Becky Gates and Charlotte Sharp are interested in engaging in research and instructional projects that enhance our knowledge of children’s development, evidence-based practices for early education and family engagement and effective teacher development that aligns with the goals and interests of the Children’s Centers and the mission of Texas A&M University.
Each research or instructional project is reviewed by the Children’s Centers Research Review Committee to ensure that the rights of children and families are protected and that the research or Instructional project is practical in our unique settings.
Steps to Conduct Research
Do You Need A Letter of Support?
Yes — my funder or sponsor requires it
A Letter of Support (LoS) indicates Centers’ interest in your proposed project for funding purposes. It is not approval to conduct research.
No — a letter is not required
Research that is already funded or instructional projects might not need a Letter of Support. You can go directly to the Research & Instructional Project Application.
Letter of Support
Obtain a Letter of Support
To obtain a letter of support for a grant proposal or other purpose to engage in research with the Texas A&M University Children’s Centers, researchers should submit a draft letter of support.
A letter of support shows initial interest in the proposed research but does not commit the Children’s Centers to participation.
Preparing a Letter of Support
Letters should specify that this is a letter of support and does not confirm engagement in the project but demonstrates the university children’s centers’ interest in the project should it be funded. We recognize funding organizations may have specific requirements for letters and that formats will vary.
Researchers should draft a letter that includes:
- Researcher(s) and their contact information
- Research project title
- Funding organization for the proposal
- Goals for the project
- Specifically what participants (children, teachers, families, administrators) will do
Sample Letter of Support
View Sample Letter
Hope K. Gerde, Ph.D.
Director, Texas A&M University Institute for Early Childhood Development & Education
Professor, Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture
Texas A&M University
hgerde@tamu.edu
May 30, 20XX
Dear Dr. Gerde,
The Becky Gates and Charlotte Sharp Children’s Centers are looking forward to participating in a collaborative research project with Texas A&M University titled, Development and Validation of Complementary Measures of Early Writing: Teacher Practices and Child Outcomes. The teachers and families in our early childhood program will welcome opportunities to participate in this innovative research project led by Dr. Gerde of Texas A&M University. While early writing is essential for later success in school, it is understudied, perhaps because so few assessments permit accurate measurement of the construct. Thus, the proposed work fills an important gap in the literature and our assessment toolkit. The purpose of this project is to develop and validate two complementary measures for 1) teacher/classroom practice and 2) child skills in early writing.
As with all research conducted in our schools, we understand teacher and child/family participation will be voluntary and that all participants will consent (or consent for their child) to participate. We recognize that the procedures and protocols of the study have been/will be approved by the Texas A&M University Institutional Review Board prior to any data collection for the project. If funded and approved, the Children’s Centers will permit the research team access to our lead teachers and families for purposes of inviting participation in the study. During the 2023–2024 school year, teachers will be invited to be observed in their classrooms at the beginning and end of the school year to validate the teacher measure. We will provide access to parents/caregivers of children served by participating classrooms to invite their participation in the child measure development and validity studies. Children will be assessed by Dr. Gerde’s team of trained, background-checked researchers with experience teaching and assessing young children. Assessments will occur during regular school hours, outside of the classroom in a quiet location to reduce distraction.
This study aligns with our mission to provide high quality education to young children and families across Bryan/College Station. Teachers and families will be eager to participate in this study focusing on understanding ways to enhance assessment of early teaching practices and child development for writing. We look forward to our continued partnership with Dr. Gerde.
Sincerely,
What Happens Next
- You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your draft letter.
- Letters will be reviewed within two weeks. If approved, the letter will be placed on letterhead and signed by the Executive Director and emailed back with a link to complete the Research & Instructional Project Application.
- If the Executive Director needs more information or requests edits, they will reach out to the researcher directly.
Research & Instructional Project Application
Application Process
The protocol for research or instructional project approval will include completing the Research & Instructional Project Application that includes a description of the project purpose and methods for review by the Research Review Committee. University approval of IRB will be required before research can begin in the Children’s Centers. Research or instructional project applications may be submitted anytime and will be reviewed within three business weeks. The committee may schedule a meeting with the researchers or instructors to better understand the work or how it might fit within the Children’s Centers.
If Approved: Requirements
- Researchers are required to provide IRB approval documentation and stamped consent forms to the Children’s Centers. IRB guidelines should be followed throughout data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting.
- All research assistants for projects will need to complete the Child Care Regulation Background Check. The PI (Principal Investigator) or project manager will be responsible for scheduling this background check with the Children’s Centers office. For instructional projects, any adult interacting with children will need to complete the Child Care Regulation Background Check.
- All research assistants or instructional project participants need to familiarize themselves with the Research Assistant Handbook. The final page of the handbook needs to be signed and submitted to the Children’s Centers Research Coordinator.
- Verbal assent should be obtained from all children before testing.
- Researchers will be expected to present findings from their research annually to the Children’s Centers. Instructors will share outcomes of their instructional projects with the Children’s Centers annually.
- Researchers should send verification when presentations or publications using data from the Children’s Centers are accepted to the Executive Director.