We are passionate about supporting existing research activities, including research projects, which improve our understanding on supporting the minds of 0-5 year olds, particularly within the social, emotional and cognitive domains in England. We are thrilled to partner with a range of different research studies, PPIE (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement) activities and practice evaluations, particularly in the supporting recruitment of 0-5 services to offer new opportunities to families. We have developed the below process to help you register your research activity or project with us so we can promote and support your work to our 250+ research network. In order to facilitate best research practice, we have listed a number of expectations (e.g. providing feedback to 0-5 services after research involvement) within our Information Sheet (see Stage 1).
This process was originally developed by our sister research network for schools, WISDOM Research Network, and has been adapted by the Supporting Early Minds Research Network to suit the nature of 0-5 research projects. By following a near identical process allows for researchers to span across both age groups (e.g. longitudinal research), however, researchers will need to engage with both networks separately.
We encourage researchers to directly contact the Supporting Early Minds team to express an interest/discuss a research project. We are very happy to meet over Microsoft Teams and talk you through the stages required to register your research activity with us. You do not have to speak with us, but you will need to email us to be sent the Information Sheet for Researchers together with an online link to our application form (Microsoft Form).
If you decide you would like to have a Microsoft Teams call with us, we will arrange this with you via email. The purpose of the Microsoft Teams call is twofold. Firstly for you to hear about what we have on offer and how we can support you and your research activity or project, and secondly, for us to hear how your research activity or project will support our Network members. We would aim to talk you through the application process, and answer any questions or queries you may have.
This is only an optional stage.
Once you email us expressing an initial interest to promote your research activity or project with us, we will send you a Information Sheet for Researchers, which contains more information about what you can expect from us, and what we expect from you. You will also be sent a link to a Microsoft Form which will ask you information about
Supporting Early Minds assesses the application, determines eligibility for partnering with the Network and notifies the Researcher of the outcome:
Lead Researcher is provided with Research Partnership Agreement for completion and signature. They provide further information for inclusion in Network communications.
Supporting Early Minds Team confirms partnership, plans for advertising/support and provides Researcher with the Network logo to include in research activity materials. Research activity is added to website and next newsletter.
Researcher emails Supporting Early Minds notifying which sites they will be using, and with feedback about their use of the network,
Researcher provides feedback/results and/or resources to the sites/settings once research activity complete.
Supporting Early Minds requests short narrative End of Research Activity report at activity end date.
Researchers to return report within four weeks or advise if end date is adjusted.