Within Codesign, we segment research into five different types of studies. Each one with its own specific timelines, requirements, and research questions. Choosing the correct study to use is based on the stage of development for the solution you want to test, as well as the types of questions and answers you want to figure out through the research. 

For solutions that are early in development, a study might only seek to answer if a concept or prototype is perceived as valuable or worthwhile to the people that will be using it. Once you establish that the solution is worth pursuing, you’ll want to know if it’s functional and usable in the way that you intend. Finally, once you demonstrate that the solution is functional, highly usable, integrates well with other tools, and you’re able to see some long-term engagement, you can test the logic model and figure out if it is actually achieving its intended outcomes. 

This may seem like a lot of steps to determine if a solution is making true on it’s logic model, but it's an essential part in testing and iterating the solution; and to make sure that educator and learner recommendations are the driving force behind the development of the solution from the earliest stages.

Furthermore, correlational and efficacy studies can take years to complete and without extensive testing on the more basic fundamentals of the solutions, it’s almost guaranteed that the results will wind up null or negative. Because, if people don’t enjoy using the solution, they aren’t able to use it because it’s too convoluted and doesn’t integrate with the tools they’re already using, then you won’t be able to learn anything about its true impact.

Below are the five types of Codesign research studies we recommend, along with the goals and prerequisites for each. 

Product Validation

A Sandbox study is used to understand if the solution is needed and to get candid feedback on a prototype from a real school community.

Guiding Questions 

• To what extent is the tool needed, and how would it add value?

• Can you see yourself ever using this product?

• Does this remind of you any other products?

• What might keep people from using this product?

Prerequisites

• Early prototype capable of showing a demo

Usability

The point of usability research is to improve a solution’s ease of use and appeal with insights direct from actual end-users (i.e: teachers for a curriculum tool, students for an academic engagement tool).

Guiding Questions 

• How well can end users independently navigate the platform and successfully find and use all its features? Why or why not?

• How can they find and use features more easily?

• What are the most valuable features of the tool?

Prerequisites

• Must have a written theory of change or logic model based in and documented with existing literature

• Must have a working prototype of product

Feasibility

Feasibility research is used to improve product’s ability to be used within the day-to-day realities of public school classroom settings and scenarios.

Guiding Questions 

• How well can end users successfully use the product in the classroom or other authentic learning environment?

• What barriers do they encounter?

• What is needed to make classroom use easier and/or more valuable for teachers?

• What is the value the tool brings to teachers and students in the classroom?

Prerequisites 

• Must have a written theory of change or logic model based in and documented with existing literature

• Must have a working prototype of product

• All classroom technology integrated

• Capable of supporting dozens of schools

Implementation

Implementation research is an important part of understanding under what conditions the product is used best and sustains engagement throughout an academic semester..

Guiding Questions 

• What are the most effective techniques to integrate use of the product into the classroom?

• How do contextual factors influence implementation success or failure?

• How can these contextual factors be modified to increase chances of success?

Prerequisites

• Must have a written theory of change or logic model based in and documented with existing literature

• All classroom technology integrated

• Capable of supporting dozens of schools

• One or more years of demonstrated use by at least 350 end users

Correlational

Correlational research is used to understand if there is a relationship between the solution’s use and its intended outcomes.

Guiding Questions 

• What is the relationship between use of the product and intended outcomes?

• Is there a correlation between use of product and improved outcomes?

Prerequisites

• Must have a written theory of change or logic model based in and documented with existing literature

• All classroom technology integrated

• Capable of supporting dozens of schools

• One or more years of demonstrated use by at least 350 end users

• Consistent usage year over year (some level of fidelity among end users)