Developing a Research Protocol

When a research project involves a partnership between a number of denominations and Christian organizations, it is often helpful to develop a research protocol or partnership agreement. This is a process that involves dialog and seeks to reach a common understanding that answers a large number of questions related to the research project. Here is a list of some of the major questions that a research protocol will seek to answer:

Partnership

• Who is involved in the research project?
• How long will this partnership to do the research project last?

Purpose

• What is the purpose and scope of the research project?
• Why is this research project important?
• Will there be regional meetings or a national congress where the information will be presented?

Organization

• Will there be a national research committee? Who will serve on the committee?
• Who is responsible for what task{s)?

Data

• What data will be gathered
• Who owns the data?
• Who is authorized to gather data?
• Who is authorized to process and analyze the data
• How will the data be secured?
• What measures will be taken to maintain the security of the data?
• Will denominations issue letters of authorization for data gathers

Communication of findings

• Will there be regional meetings or a national congress where the information will be presented?
• What data can be published? What forms? (Report, articles, directories of churches, maps, lists, websites, CDs, etc)
• What data can not be published?
• What data will be provided to the partners for "in house" use?
• Is a review of the data by denominations/partners/research committee needed prior to publication?
• When data is published or cited, who should be given credit for the research project? The phrase "_____ and _____ organizations, in partnership with ____, ____, and ____ denominations..." has been useful in giving all partners credit."

Funding

• What is the budget for the research project
• Who will fund the project?
• How much will each partner contribute?
• What portions of the project will certain partners fund
• Who will account for funds received?
• What financial report will be given to the partners