Research Support Opportunities
While there are a multitude of avenues to engage in research with early childhood at JMU, we would like to highlight a few key supported opportunities.
Faculty Affiliate Program
Our commitment to research goes beyond the core members of the team. In order to achieve our mission of creating an environment that promotes educational equity and opportunities for all early learners, we actively collaborate with other scholars both inside and outside of the JMU community. One avenue of collaboration is our Faculty Affiliate Program. JMU CARE™ Faculty Affiliates are faculty members who are working with our team on a research initiative as consultants, networkers, data analysts, and Co-PIs. If you are interested in joining one of our current research efforts or if you have an idea that you'd love to have our support with, please complete our Faculty Affiliate Interest Form. We are experienced grant writers with established relationships with the JMU Office of Sponsored Programs, and we have external consulting resources that we also utilize in our grant work. Future plans for the center involve the establishment of a seed fund to support our Faculty Affiliate projects.
This program is not just limited to JMU Faculty. If you are interested in partnering with JMU CARE and are faculty at any other accredited university, you are welcome to fill out the Faculty Affiliate Form to connect with us. Credentials are requested in the form.
Young Children's Laboratory School at Memorial Hall
Protocol for Conducting Research at the Young Children's Laboratory School at Memorial Hall (part of the Young Children’s Program)
The Young Children’s Program (YCP) at JMU is committed to supporting JMU faculty, staff students with research and learning activities, including identifying potential areas of study, innovating novel techniques and observing young children at work and play. Our high-quality setting provides many opportunities for research. In the interest of student safety and fostering a peaceful and nurturing space, we ask that anyone interested in consulting research follow our process.
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Amy Thelk, Associate Dean of Internal Supports and Accountability, JMU College of Education (thelkad@jmu.edu; 540-568-3171).
Step 1: Proposal submitted by researcher(s) to Young Children's Program Research Committee.
Prior to conducting research, please submit your proposal. A sample of the questions asked for the proposal submission can be found here.
We recommend allowing 2-3 weeks for our review plus the amount of time you will need to obtain Institutional Review Board approval (https://www.jmu.edu/researchintegrity/irb/irbsubmit.shtml ). Incomplete applications will be returned without review.
Step 2: The proposal is reviewed by the committee and the Executive Director of JMU CARE™. The researcher(s) will receive an email indicating the decision/next steps.
Applications to conduct research at YCP will be reviewed by the YCP Research Committee, comprised of one YCP teacher, the YCP Director, an Education faculty member, and the CoE Associate Dean of Internal Supports and Accountability. Applications will be reviewed the 1st and 15th of each month (or first business day after those dates if university is not open on 1st or 15th of a given month).
Following committee review, applications will be forwarded to the Executive Director of JMU CARE™, Dr. Maryam Sharifian.
Applicants will be notified via email of next steps following protocol review. Additional information may be requested from the researcher(s).
Step 3: Review proposal decision.
Proposal Approved: Researcher(s) to create IRB proposal, provide copies of that IRB proposal and consent forms for additional review by the research committee prior to final IRB submission.
Once IRB approval is received, researcher(s) will submit a full copy to the YCP Director. Researcher(s) and the YCP Director will then plan the logistics of the research implementation.
Proposal Denied: Feedback will be provided on the proposal. Researcher(s) may request a follow-up meeting with te committee.