Research-Validated programs undergo two types of review by the California Healthy Kids Resource Center. Program developers and publishers interested in submitting a program for consideration as Research-Validated must submit materials for both reviews.
 |
Program Material Review |
The first review is an evaluation of the program’s accuracy, developmental appropriateness, pedagogy, and use of research-based strategies.Materials are reviewed by CHKRC staff and a Material Review Board (MRB), comprised of teachers, health education professionals, and university faculty, selected for their expertise in health education curricula.
Submit program materials for review.
|
Research Review |
Published, peer-reviewed research submitted to the CHKRC is reviewed by CHKRC staff and a Research Review Board (RRB), comprised of researchers selected for their expertise in prevention and health education research using the Research Review Form (.doc). A research study must be rated “satisfactory” or “good” on every applicable criterion on the Research Review Form to meet the Research-Validated standards for evidence of effectiveness:
Standard I – Coherence of Research and Program
Does the research align with the program’s conceptual framework and intent?
Standard II – Analysis of Program Implementation and Context
Was the program tested in the research identified and implemented with fidelity?
Standard III – Research Design
Are sampling methods and control/comparison group assignments appropriate? Are issues of internal validity adequately addressed?
Standard IV – Methods
Are outcome measures, data collection, and data analysis relevant and valid?
Standard V – Evidence of Effectiveness
Do the results provide statistically significant differences in student health behavior outcomes?
Submit research for review.
Maintaining Research-Validated Designation
Programs designated by the CHKRC as Research-Validated will be subject to a material and research re-review a minimum of every eight years. Programs may submit research to the CHKRC as soon as new research studies are published. Likewise, programs may submit new program materials to the CHKRC as soon as new materials are complete, available, and ready for implementation at school sites. If after eight years from the time of original Research-Validation a program’s materials and/or research do not satisfy the requirements listed below, the program will be taken off the Research-Validated list.
|
Materials Re-Review |
Materials will be re-reviewed to confirm that they reflect research-based strategies and contemporary language and images that are relevant to students in California. If the materials have been updated, they must reflect the core content and format of the program that was originally Research-Validated. If the program that is currently available has been substantially changed, new published research to provide evidence of effectiveness for the revised program must be submitted to the CHKRC for review to maintain Research-Validated designation.
|
Research Re-Review |
To maintain Research-Validated designation, a program must demonstrate evidence of effectiveness with a new sample of students every eight years. This additional evidence of effectiveness must be published in a peer-reviewed journal and must meet the CHKRC’s standards for evidence of effectiveness. Research-Validated programs that do not establish an ongoing body of evidence of effectiveness will lose Research-Validated designation.
Disseminating Research-Based Information for Research-Validated Programs
After a program has been designated as Research-Validated, program developers and researchers are encouraged to submit to the CHKRC additional published and unpublished quantitative and qualitative research that provides guidance for program implementation, including in what contexts the program can most effectively be implemented, under what conditions, and with what student populations. This additional information about how best to implement the program will be disseminated by the CHKRC to provide research-based supportive services and technical assistance on Research-Validated programs.
