Office of Research Innovation and Sponsored Programs​

Sponsored Programs Office

IRB Office

Dissertation Services Office

Department of Research

Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research

College Description

MISSION

The Saybrook Office of Research Innovation and Sponsored Programs advances and promotes research, scholarship, and creative activities through excellent education and training, administrative support, and by cultivating a culture of equity, inclusiveness, transparency, integrity, and rigor. 
 
DESCRIPTION
 
The Saybrook Office of Research Innovation and Sponsored Programs builds research capacity through education, collaboration, and service.  The Office of Research Innovation and Sponsored Programs is comprised of four units: 

The Sponsored Programs Office partners with faculty and students seeking external funding for research, scholarship, and creative activities. The Sponsored Programs Office supports Saybrook researchers through the grant life cycle, from helping identify funding opportunities to proposal development and submissions, award negotiation, management, project extensions, and closures.  The Sponsored Programs Office oversees external grants and contracts in line with federal, state, and local regulations.  

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures that all Saybrook faculty, staff, and students research is designed ethically to protect human participants. Following our federal-wide assurance (FWA# 00014486), the Saybrook IRB committee reviews research to ensure compliance with the requirements of the federal Health and Humans Services (HHS) Protection of Human Subjects regulations (45 CFR 46), state, and local regulations. 

The Dissertation Services Office supports doctoral students and dissertation faculty with administrative functions around the dissertation process, including filing petitions to form committees and the documentation of dissertation milestones. 

The academic Department of Research provides rigorous, interdisciplinary research instruction to graduate students across Saybrook colleges.  The innovative Saybrook research curriculum is taught by experienced faculty from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and is designed to prepare students to successfully complete research elements in their degree programs, such as the Ph.D. dissertation and master's project, to contribute to their academic careers and change communities. 

College Specific Policies

Dissertation Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines 
 
Saybrook doctoral dissertation candidates must present a dissertation demonstrating the planning, conduct, and results of original research and scholarly creativity. The dissertation itself should be an evident product of the candidate’s growth and attainment of the ability to identify significant problems contributing to an area of scholarly or scientific interest aligned with the student’s academic degree program. Policies apply across the University yet allow for customization by program and department.  
 
Dissertation Timeline and Process Policy & Procedures 
 
The Dissertation Timeline and Process Policy and Procedures outlines the university processes (i.e., timeline and curriculum) that support and prepare students to complete the dissertation successfully. This policy first highlights the academic coursework dependencies that prepare students for the dissertation. Next, it overviews the qualifying and dissertation phases, including dissertation milestones. Finally, the policy outlines the relationship between the dissertation and degree conferral. Procedures for documenting the student’s dissertation committee and milestones are linked within this policy document, as are diagrams of the dissertation timeline and the dissertation process and milestones. 
 
Dissertation Faculty Policy & Procedures 
 
The Dissertation Faculty Policy and Procedures establishes details on expectations, roles and responsibilities, and expectations of dissertation committee members. This policy also includes the following:   

• Criteria for Dissertation Faculty 
• Student Responsibilities 
• Requirements by Department 
• Process for Forming Dissertation Committee 
• Roles and Responsibilities for Dissertation Chairs and Faculty 
• Committee Members: Methodologist and Reader 
• Supporting Dissertation Faculty 
• Communication, Collaboration, and Conflict Resolution 
• Changing Committee Members 

 
Dissertation Preparation Guides 
 
The Dissertation Readiness Assessment is designed to assist in the conceptualization of students’ proposed dissertation topic and their readiness to complete the work following the advanced research course(s) (refer to your department’s policy). This review is designed to help students evaluate their readiness to proceed with the dissertation and help committee members evaluate the student’s proposed research readiness.  
 
Dissertation Proposal Preparation Guidelines is an instructional guide that describes steps to support students as they prepare and submit their written proposal for their committee members to review.

Guidelines, Regulations, and Procedures for Research with Humans 

Saybrook University IRB has a Federal Wide Assurance (FWA00014486) and complies with the standards and guidelines of the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the federal laws (45 CFR 46) pertaining to research involving human participants. All students, faculty, staff, and administrators who conduct research must understand and comply with the Saybrook Institutional Review Board policies, other relevant professional, ethical guidelines, and state and federal laws related to research with human participants. Saybrook University subscribes to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) to provide education and training related to research ethics to the Saybrook research community. The overarching principles guiding human research as articulated in the Belmont Report: Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice. 

Saybrook Institutional Review Board (IRB) 

All research activities under the auspices and oversight of Saybrook University will go through the IRB process. This includes research practicums, master’s theses, dissertations, faculty, and staff research, including proposed grant research. The review process the Saybrook IRB follows is mandated by federal law (45 CFR 46). The IRB checks for sensitivity, procedures, and safeguards to protect the welfare of the research participants and others involved with the research. Furthermore, the IRB attempts to make its reviews of educational value to students and others conducting research. Until the IRB application and supplemental materials are approved, participant recruitment, data collection, or analysis must not be conducted. 

Student research requires faculty oversight and guidance. Dissertation chairs serve as the primary faculty advisors for student dissertation research, along with dissertation committee members. Student research, including practicums, pilot studies, or master’s theses and projects, must be supervised by faculty as well. Student research submitted to the IRB must include supervising faculty as the co-principal investigator(s). Faculty advisors and all other co-PIs must review all IRB application materials and sign off on the student’s materials before submitting them to the IRB for review in Mentor IRB. If a student has questions about the role of the IRB in the research, they should consult their advising faculty and the Saybrook IRB at irb@saybrook.edu. 

Following federal regulations and institutional policies, the Saybrook IRB verifies that all researchers submitting to the IRB have received human research ethics training within the last three years. Saybrook researchers complete this training through the CITI Program online. All Saybrook researchers must submit their IRB application form and supplemental documents through our online submission system, Mentor IRB. Applications are signed electronically by all investigators within the Mentor IRB system. Saybrook researchers are expected to follow the IRB-approved protocol for research involving human participants. The IRB must approve the IRB application, including supplemental materials, before a researcher begins recruiting participants or collecting data. All research must be conducted in compliance with the IRB-approved application. Any proposed modification to the approved study must be reviewed and approved before initiating the changes to the study. 

Noncompliance, Adverse Events, and Unanticipated Problems 

Information about IRB noncompliance, unanticipated problems, and adverse events can be found under the Resources button in Mentor IRB in the IRB Procedures folder. 

The IRB has the authority to determine corrective actions, including but not limited to requiring study modifications, suspending a study, or terminating a study if the research is not being conducted in accordance with institutional policy and state and federal regulations, or has been shown to result in adverse consequences to human participants, including but not limited to harm to participants or others. 

Saybrook Research Misconduct Policy 

Saybrook University is committed to research integrity by adhering to the highest ethical and moral standards. All Saybrook researchers must propose, conduct, are report research to avoid misconduct. 

Definition of Research Misconduct 

Research misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research results. Research misconduct involves the practice of: 

• Making up data or results and recording or reporting them. 
• Manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research conducted is not accurately represented in the research record, including the IRB-approved application and materials. 
• Appropriating another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit. 
• Duplicate publication of data is publishing, as original data, data that have been previously published. This does not preclude republishing data when it is accompanied by proper acknowledgment. 

Research misconduct does not include honest errors or differences of opinion. 

Criteria for Establishing Research Misconduct 

A finding of research misconduct made under this policy requires that: 

• There be a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community; and 
• The misconduct be committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly; and 
• A preponderance of the evidence verifies the allegation. 

Rights and Authority of Saybrook’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) in Responding to Research Misconduct 

The IRB determines whether research is conducted in accordance with institutional policy and/or federal and state regulations. The IRB has the authority to determine the appropriate corrective actions for investigators who conduct research out of compliance with institutional policy and federal, state, or other regulations. For information about suspending or terminating research, see the IRB Procedures folder. In addition, for student research misconduct, see the University Catalog and Student Handbook, Academic and School Policies: Student Code of Conduct. 

Sponsored Programs Office

​​The Sponsored Programs Office partners with faculty and students seeking external funding for research, scholarship, and creative activities. The Sponsored Programs Office supports Saybrook researchers through the grant life cycle, from helping identify funding opportunities to proposal development and submissions, award negotiation, management, project extensions, and closures.  The Sponsored Programs Office oversees external grants and contracts in line with federal, state, and local regulations. 
 
The Saybrook Sponsored Programs Office can be reached at sponsoredprograms@saybrook.edu.​ 

IRB Office

​​The Saybrook Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures that all Saybrook faculty, staff, and students research is designed ethically to protect human participants. Following our federal-wide assurance (FWA# 00014486), the Saybrook IRB committee reviews research to ensure compliance with the requirements of the federal Health and Humans Services (HHS) Protection of Human Subjects regulations (45 CFR 46), state, and local regulations.  The Saybrook IRB relies on the three ethical principles from the Belmont Report: 1) Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. 
 
The Saybrook IRB Office can be reached at irb@saybrook.edu.​ 

Department of Research

Department Description 

The breadth of graduate programs offered through Saybrook University gives the Department of Research a unique opportunity to serve as the only interdisciplinary academic department. Our university-wide curriculum serves the diversity of thought and practice reflected in the academic programs offered through the CSS and the CIMHS. To achieve this, our course learning outcomes purposefully scaffold to research program learning outcomes aligned with psychology, health sciences, mind-body medicine, social work, and transformative social change.  

Master’s and Doctoral research courses engage students in diverse, practice-based learning modalities, including discussion activities, practice activities, and key assignments aligned with multiple course learning outcomes. Course-specific discussion activities encourage critical reflection among peers and faculty. Masters-level research practice activities include locating and evaluating research literature, scholarly writing, and synthesizing literature related to the fields of practice. Doctoral-level research practice activities include research design, literature review development, theoretical/conceptual framework development, research method selection, data collection, analysis, IRB and feasibility considerations, and scholarly writing. Our research curriculum prepares master’s students for a successful thesis or capstone development and doctoral students for dissertation completion and publication.

Values, Mission, and Learning Outcomes 

Department Mission Statement 

The Department of Research is an interdisciplinary academic department committed to excellence in delivering rigorous and innovative student-centered research instruction. We support academic excellence for all students through a pedagogy that appreciates applied research, invites transformational change, and promotes Humanistic values core to the Saybrook mission.  

Department Values: 

In alignment with the Saybrook mission, the values of the Department of Research include:  

1. We value the diversity of multiple and intersecting perspectives, cultures, and identities of students, faculty, and staff.  
2. We intentionally seek learning opportunities for students that address the equity of access to and participation in research in all communities. 
3. We promote and maintain the core Humanistic tenets of unconditional positive regard, self-responsibility, and self-actualizing potential. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Master’s Research Program Outcomes

Saybrook University’s Master’s research sequence is designed around seven program-level learning outcomes that prepare students to be successful consumers of research. Depending on the specific master’s program, students will take from one to three research courses for their master’s program. Research program outcomes coincide with and support academic program goals.  

1. Research Literature - Students demonstrate the ability to identify, critically evaluate, summarize,  and synthesize published research in their field.  
2. Research Logic and Design - Students demonstrate understanding of the basic elements of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research.  
3. Data Collection - Students identify and assess various types of data and data collection strategies as part of the review of existing studies.  
4. Data Analysis - Students identify and assess different analysis strategies as part of the review of existing studies.  
5. Reporting Research - Students critically evaluate reported research and effectively present empirical research in the support of scholarly arguments and evidence-based decisions.  
6. Research Ethics - Students critically evaluate ethical issues in existing research, demonstrate understanding of intellectual property, and reference research with integrity and in alignment with professional ethical standards.  
7. Research and Practice - Students demonstrate the connection between research and practice. Students explain how research findings inform practice.

Doctoral Research Program Outcomes 

Saybrook University’s doctoral research curriculum is designed to provide a sequence of research experiences around seven program-level learning outcomes that prepare students to complete the dissertation successfully. Students enrolled in doctoral programs that utilize the Department of Research courses will complete between four and six research courses before advancing to their dissertation courses. 

1. Research Literature - Students demonstrate the ability to identify, critically evaluate, summarize, and synthesize published research in their field.
2. Research Logic and Design - Students demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research, including philosophical assumptions, research design, and specific research methods.  
3. Data Collection - Students identify, assess, and select from various types of data and data collection strategies as part of the review of existing studies or in the design of original research. 
4. Data Analysis - Students identify, assess, and make choices about analysis strategies as part of the review of existing studies or in the design of original research. 
5. Reporting Research - Students critically evaluate reported research and effectively present empirical research for scholarly presentation or publication. 
6. Research Ethics - Students critically evaluate ethical issues in existing research and demonstrate understanding of intellectual property, human subjects’ protections and referencing research with integrity and in alignment with professional ethical standards. 
7. Research and Practice - Students demonstrate the connection between research and practice. Students explain how research findings inform practice and how practice suggests research topics. 

Department Specific Policies

Recommendations

Research Course Enrollment  

To support the mission of academic excellence, rigor, and student success, the Department of Research recommends that students not enroll in more than one research course per term. Students requesting exceptions must consult with their Program Chair and the Department of Research to discuss multiple research course enrollment. 

Advanced Research Method  

To support student dissertation success, the Department of Research recommends that doctoral students take the Advanced Research Methods (3xxx) course in alignment with their projected dissertation research method.

Policies

Department of Research Late Policy

To support students’ successful course completion, the Department of Research has the following policy for assignment submission.
 
Every assignment is due by 11:59 pm PT on the due date specified in the syllabus and Canvas. Any assignment submitted late without prior approval from the instructor will be marked down 10% per additional day past the due date until the assignment is submitted. Assignments submitted one week or more after the due date specified will not be graded and receive a 0. No assignments due on the last day of the course will be accepted after the due date. The instructor will work to be fair and accommodating with students who seek prior approval. Students who seek prior approval to submit an assignment late will not automatically receive it; instead, they should work directly with their course instructor.
 

Department of Research AI Policy and Procedure 

Using AI to generate content for learning activities in research courses is prohibited unless assigned as a required component of a learning activity published in the course syllabus. 

Department of Research learning activities include:

• Discussion activities and submitted revised responses 
• Practice Activities and submitted revisions 
• Key Assignments and submitted revisions 

Procedure: If an instructor identifies possible unauthorized use of AI-generated content using Saybrook-approved AI detection tools, the following will occur: 

1. The instructor emails the students to notify them that there is potentially a high rate of AI-generated content in submitted learning activities and requests that they schedule a discussion meeting. 
2. During the initial meeting, the instructor invites the student to explain potential AI use. Afterward, as appropriate, the instructor will share that the department has a nonnegotiable AI use policy. Please note that reports can misrepresent AI use due to the nature of AI technology and detection tools. AI use can also be unintentional. =

Determination: If the student used AI to generate their submitted assignment, the following would occur:

• The student will receive a 0 grade on the activity. The instructor may offer a resubmission option and determine the appropriate resubmission requirements. 
• The instructor will document the incident in an email to the student’s department and the chair of the department of research. 
• Department leadership (the student’s department chair and the chair of the research department) will determine if the complaint should escalate to the Student Affairs or be filed as a warning at the university level.

Department Programs and Specializations 

Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR)

Overview

The 15 credit Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR) serves university learners interested in pursuing academic careers. Innovative, learner-centered, skill-based courses in teaching, grant writing, curriculum design, and academic publication prepare learners for professional and scholarly success in their field of interest. Over four core courses, learners develop a scholarly portfolio to promote academic success post-graduation. This academic dossier will include a written teaching philosophy, Curricula Vitae, exemplar syllabi and course designs, grant proposals, research publication and presentations. Following completion of the core courses, learners then work with faculty research mentors to apply the dossier to professional academic goals: establishing and building professional networks, refining skills, and participating in academic opportunities. The culmination of the STAR is learner participation in the STAR Learner Research Symposium, an annual virtual academic conference featuring learner research presentations.  

Any Saybrook student can enroll in RES4010, RES5010, RES5020, or RES5030 as elective courses if they meet the prerequisite requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes  

Program Approach 

The STAR Program Learning Outcomes reflect the core humanistic principles of self-actualization and human growth potential. The approach to learning is based on heutagogy and principles of self-determined learning. In this way, STAR courses recognize that learners can guide their learning based on professional goals, gain professional competencies toward an academic career path, build capabilities to demonstrate competencies in new professional settings, and reflect on their learning as a lifelong enterprise.  

Program Learning Outcomes 

1. Teaching and Instruction in Higher Education - Learners demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and applied components of teaching and instruction in higher education.  
2. Curriculum Development in Higher Education - Learners demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and applied components of curriculum design in higher education.  
3. Advanced Research - Learners demonstrate an understanding of the research landscape in their field and build advanced research skills to present and publish in academic contexts.  
4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging - Learners demonstrate a humanistic understanding of the principles and application of DEIB practices in teaching, curriculum development, and research practice in higher education.  
5. Project Management - Learners demonstrate an understanding of project development and management in teaching, curriculum development, and research in higher education.  
6. Technology and Innovation in Teaching and Research - Learners demonstrate an understanding of technology in teaching, curriculum development, and research practice.  
7. Ethical Compliance and Professional Standards in Teaching and Research - Learners comply with ethical and professional standards of practice in teaching, curriculum design, and advanced research in their area of research.  

Career Opportunities  

The Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research supports academic career roles within a learner’s field of practice in synchronous and asynchronous educational settings. Academic career opportunities in higher education can be found within colleges, universities, and community colleges, as well as in organizations that support or oversee higher education. Responsibilities often involve teaching, conducting and publishing research, grant writing, and curriculum development.  

• Professor (Assistant, Associate, Full) - Teach, conduct research, publish, and present scholarly work in academic settings. 
• Lecturer/Instructor - Primarily focus on teaching (often non-tenure track) 
• Adjunct Faculty - Part-time instructors 
• Postdoctoral Researcher - Temporary roles centered on research 
• Grants Manager 
• Instructional Designer 
• Curriculum Designer  
• Researcher 

Credits/Hours  

Students should expect to spend approximately 40 hours per every 1 credit hour, or 120 hours of schoolwork for each 3-credit course, engaged in schoolwork (e.g., reading, watching videos, completing assignments, and more). Therefore, students should anticipate spending approximately 8 hours per week on schoolwork for each 15-week course. The actual time needed will vary by course, by week, and by student.  

Mode of Delivery  

Coursework is conducted online and at a distance, allowing students to live and work anywhere in the world while engaging with faculty and peers. The classes incorporate a variety of instructional and assessment methods, including asynchronous discussion forums, live videoconferences, interactive web-based activities, and written assignments.  

Core Courses  

• RES 4010 Grant Writing  
  • Option: An additional RES 3xxx (Advanced Research Methods) can be substituted for Grant Writing per the student’s interest.  
• RES5010 Teaching and Instruction for Higher Education  
• RES5020 Curriculum and Instructional Design for Higher Education  
• RES5030 Scholarly Publication and Presentation  
• RES5040 Research Mentorship and Professional Development  

The Saybrook Department of Research can be reached at research@saybrook.edu. For further information on the Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research, please email star@saybrook.edu.