REVEAL Culturally Responsive Research Framework

This document outlines the culturally responsive research (CRR) framework developed to guide planning, data collection and analysis, and dissemination throughout the Researching the Value of Educator Actions for Learning (REVEAL) project. REVEAL was a National Science Foundation-funded initiative that studied the impact of staff facilitation by museum educators on family learning at interactive exhibits in a science center. Led by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the project was conducted in partnership with Oregon State University and TERC. The project included a design-based research phase to develop a model of expert staff facilitation, an experimental phase to rigorously test the impact of the facilitation model and strategies developed during phase one, and a variety of dissemination products for educators and researchers.

Integral to this project was the incorporation of CRR approaches and practices. From the outset of the project, the team committed to conducting CRR that (a) was respectful to and inclusive of the diversity of OMSI's visitors and (b) provided findings that were applicable and useful to a diversity of communities. The project was also an opportunity to further develop the cultural competency habits of mind and the CRR practices of the researchers and partner organizations. The team built on recommended practices in CRR (Frechtling, 2002; Allen et al., 2007; Gutierrez & Rogoff, 2003; Okazaki & Sue, 1995) and sought out the guidance of two external experts, Cecilia Garibay and Laura Huerta-Migus. These two consultants facilitated training and reflective discussions with the team throughout the three years of the project and conducted a process evaluation to monitor the project team’s evolving cultural competencies and provide suggestions for improvement.