Researchers can use existing questions or build their own.

What questions are states asking?

Researchers can use Connect to find out what questions states are asking, and use that information as a starting point or to help guide their own question development. Connect is a CEDS tool that provides a selection of questions developed by CEDS users. Researchers can also provide feedback and dialogue on existing Connections. To get started, go to Connect and explore existing Connections by conducting a keyword search for a particular state.

What Connections already exist on this topic?

Researchers can find information about how others have defined similar questions by exploring existing Connections. Researchers can also provide feedback and dialogue on existing Connections. To find out what information already exists on a topic, go to Connect and conduct a keyword search for a topic or by selecting a category to view all related Connections.

Researchers can use CEDS to help operationalize the concepts in their research question.

How have others defined this concept?

To find out how others operationalized a concept, explore existing Connections by conducting a keyword search or by selecting a category to view all related Connections.

What elements exist related to this concept?

Review the CEDS Domain Entity Schema, which is logically organized, to find related elements based on the context. Use these elements to help define concepts in your research question.

CEDS helps researchers develop an analytic plan for research questions. Researchers can build a Connection to define the elements, selection criteria, and suggested computations for analysis. The Connection can then be shared for others to use as a starting point, and other CEDS users can provide feedback on the Connection. To get started, go to Connect and select "Create a Connection" under Build.

CEDS helps researchers gather potential data sources by connecting the elements for the research question with education entities who collect the data.

Do I have the data to answer my question?

Use myConnect to determine if the data necessary to conduct the analysis can be found in your own data system. Note: To use myConnect, you need to use a shared Connection and a shared Align map.

Does the data I need come from multiple datasets?

Use myConnect with multiple Align maps to determine if you have access to all of the data necessary to conduct the analysis. Keep in mind that data may reside in different datasets, offices, or agencies.
Note: To use myConnect, you need to use a shared Connection and a shared Align map.

Does the state I’m interested in working with have the data I need?

By sharing a Connection, you can use myConnect to identify any shared maps and compare them with the data for your research to determine if states of interest collect the appropriate data.

Who has the same research interests as me and collects the data necessary to address those interests?

Use the element-based report in Align to select one or more elements and find education entities whose data systems align to those elements.