Welcome.
The Research School provides straightforward support to help you finish your research project. We help through one-on-one coaching, consultation, program evaluation and reviewing and revising research documents. We don't just give instructions---we actively help you get it done.
A Note from Dr. Smith
"I'm just not a 'data person.'"
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I hear this all the time. Many professionals, leaders, students feel stuck--not because they lack directions, but because they've convinced themselves that research is "out of their league." They believe it's a skill reserved for a specific type of expert.
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I'm here to tell you that's a myth. Unfamiliarity is not the same as incapacity. You are already a capable leader, teacher, or practitioner. My goal is to help you be at ease in the research space by helping you transfer the skill you already have to the project in front of you.
Whether we are starting from the ground level, restarting a stalled project, or pivoting mid-stream, I'm here to help you identify practical steps--and more importantly, to help you breathe.
We will find the right tools, identify the "next right move," and see you project through to a polished, successful end. Together.
How it Works
Expert Guidance for Every Stage of Your Research​
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Whether you are a professional seeking to prove your organization's impact or a student navigationg the dissertation process, The Research School provides the technical expertise and strategic support to get you to the finish line.
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Professionals & Small Businesses
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Data-driven growth without the overwhelm. ​
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We help you define your impact and secure the funding your mission deserves. We provide the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively collect data, measure your organization or program outcomes and strategically leverage data to secure funding. Whether starting from ground level or using structures already in place, we help you activate data collection and measure your impact and effectiveness. Our consulting, evaluation, and grant-writing services allow you to:
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Create a Solid Foundation: Define clear, measurable goals and outcomes that grantors love to see.
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Master Data Collection: We integrate data tools into your existing workflow so you can collect insights without burning out your staff.
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Put Data to Work: We transform raw numbers into compelling narratives that attract funding and demonstrate community impact.​​​​​
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Researchers & Students
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Clarity and momentum for your academic journey.​
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From the first draft of your problem statement to the final copy edit of your dissertation, we provide the mentorship you need to move from "stuck" to "done."
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Document Review: Submit your chapters of IRB applications for line-by-line expert feeback and APA 7th Edition polishing.
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Strategic Coaching: Join a monthly subscription for side-by-side support, accountability, and 1:1 troubleshooting.
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End-to-End Support: We guide you through every phase:
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Refining research questions and literature reviews.
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Designing robust quantitative or qualitative studies.
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Running complex data analysis and writing up your results.
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Who I Am: Dr. Tamarah Smith
Tamarah Smith, PhD, is the founder of The Research School. She holds a doctorate in Educational Psychology from Temple University and Master's of Science in Applied Statistics from West Chester University. She has over 20 years of experience as a University faculty member where she most recently served as an associate professor in the doctoral education program at Gwynedd Mercy University as well as the Dissertation Coordinator and methodoloist.
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Since 2004, she has supported students conducting research projects from undergraduate to doctoral dissertations, many of which resulted in professional presentation and publication. She has a long history of publishing and presenting her own research, focused on student mindsets, anxieties, attitudes, and other motivational factors that impact student success particularly while doing research. She has created and tested various interventions, curriculum, and measurement techniques to help dissect and influence the relationship between such apprehensions and learning.
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​In addition to working with students, Dr. Smith has worked with non-profits and other agencies to help them assess impact and improve practices. This work has addressed a variety of issues such as:
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educational programs;
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programming to support families in economic crisis;
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public health campaigns;
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services to support the elderly;
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alcohol and other drug abuse among college students;
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eating disorders among college students;
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student anxiety, mindsets and attitudes that interfere with their academic success;
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occupational therapy for stroke patients.
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Dr. Smith is a regular reviewer for academic journals and the National Science Foundation's grant programs. She served on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Psychological Association, has served as a reviewer for several journals, and was an associate editor for a special issue of Psychology Learning and Teaching. She is currently serving as the Director for Regional Conference Programming for the Society of Teaching Psychology.
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Her work has been funded by the Society for Teaching Psychology, Psi Chi, and the Buzzallino Family Faculty Scholars Award. She served as co-PI on a National Science Foundation grant that incorporated her work with high-risk STEM majors. She has implemented her intervention work in statistics courses for psychology majors and developed and run programming to train tutors, high school teachers, and administrators, as well as college faculty to utilize mindset interventions in their classrooms and institutions.
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