Scientifically Based Research

Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, schools and districts are encouraged or required to implement programs that are proven to be effective through scientifically based research. As defined by ESEA, scientifically based research:

• employs systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment;
  
• involves rigorous data analyses that are adequate to test the stated hypotheses and justify the general conclusions drawn;
  
• relies on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable and valid data across evaluators and observers, across multiple measurements and observations, and across studies by the same or different investigators;
  
• is evaluated using experimental or quasi-experimental designs in which individuals, entities, programs or activities are assigned to different conditions and with appropriate controls to evaluate the effects of the condition of interest, with a preference for random-assignment experiments, or other designs to the extent that those designs contain within-condition or across-condition controls;
  
• ensures experimental studies are presented in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, offer the opportunity to build systematically on their findings; and/or
  
• has been accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved by a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective and scientific review.
  

Source: U.S. Department of Education Policy Guidance "Guidance for the Reading First Program" April 1, 2002 http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/guidance.doc

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