Research Requests
Research Requests
In support of transferring research into best practices, ASPP is offering a service to both researchers and practitioners.
For researchers, we invite you to post the information about your project and how school psychologists in PA may be able to assist in your study. In order for us to do this we need to gather information from you. Please submit a description of your study, your IRB approval, and any other supporting documents. We will post your information on the this page as well as our Facebook Page along with any appropriate links. After each quarterly review of applicants, we email our members if your study is approved.
Please review the Research Opportunities policies and procedures before requesting a posting.
To request a posting on the research opportunities page, contact the Communications Committee through the Contact Us page.
For our members, please make sure to check out the current research opportunities and help support the advancement of our field!
Current Research Requests
The ASPP Executive Board is pleased to announce three research opportunities for the review period of January – April 2026. The Research Subcommittee reviewed these research opportunities and believed they are of considerable merit. We, therefore, endorse them for our members to individually consider. What follows is a brief synopsis of each study and how ASPP members can participate.
Study #1: Supporting Students Affected by Adult/Caregiver's Problematic Substance Use: A Survey of School Psychologists' Attitudes and Training Needs
My name is James Pooley, and I am a doctoral student in the School Psychology program at Georgia State University. I am conducting a dissertation study exploring students affected by adult or caregiver’s problematic substance use. The study examines school psychologists’ training related to this topic and their attitudes regarding their roles and responsibilities in supporting this population of students.
You may be eligible to participate if you primarily work as a school psychologist in a school-based setting. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Participation in this research is entirely voluntary with no foreseeable risk, and participants will be provided with an informed consent prior to participating. To access the survey, please follow the link below:
https://gsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5pZWrpy2wm59DQq
If you have questions about the study or the procedures, please contact my research supervisor, Joel Meyers, Ph.D. (jpmeyers@gsu.edu) or me (James Pooley, jpooley1@student.gsu.edu). Thank you for taking the time to consider participating in this study and contributing to research that may enhance school-based support for students in need.
Study #2: Professional Commitment in School Psychologists: Exploring the Role of
Hardiness and Compassion Satisfaction
You are invited to participate in a research study examining internal psychological strengths and professional commitment among practicing school psychologists in public schools. This study is being conducted as part of a doctoral dissertation in the School Psychology Psy.D. program at Georgian Court University.
The purpose of this study is to better understand how factors such as compassion satisfaction and psychological hardiness relate to affective professional commitment among school psychologists working in public school settings. Given the increasing demands placed on the profession, this research aims to contribute to knowledge that may inform future efforts to support professional well-being and retention.
Participation involves completing a brief, anonymous online survey that will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time. No identifying information will be collected, and all responses will be kept confidential.
To be eligible, participants must be practicing school psychologists, be employed in a United States public school setting, and have completed at least one year of professional practice.
If you are interested in participation, please click the link below to review the informed consent and access the survey
Qualtrics survey link https://gcu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NgOZzCI2iwdCp8
If you have any questions about the study, you can contact me at ck90236@georgian.edu or my dissertation chair, Dr. Stephanie Rahill, at srahill@georgian.edu. Questions regarding participant rights or ethical considerations may be directed to the Institutional Research Review Board (IRRB) at Georgian Court University Co-Chairs, Dr. Heather Tacovsky at htacovsky@georgian.edu or Dr. Jessica Lisa at jlisa@georgian.edu. Thank you for your consideration and for supporting research in the field of school psychology.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Kelley
Doctoral Candidate, School Psychology
Georgian Court University
Study #3: Hear Our Voice: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Institutional Pressures and Mental Health Strain Experienced by School Psychologists
School psychologists play an essential role in supporting students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional functioning within public schools; however, their work is often influenced and shaped by institutional demands that impact professional well-being. This study, Hear Our Voice: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Institutional Pressures and Mental Health Strain Experienced by School Psychologists, is designed to examine the extent to which practicing school psychologists experience institutional pressures and mental health strain within Pennsylvania public schools. Guided by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Practice Model (2020) and grounded in Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST), this research study aims to better understand how systemic and organizational factors
influence practitioner well-being and professional functioning. Participants must be 18 years of age or older, early career or full members of the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania (ASPP), currently employed in a Pennsylvania public school district, and those who are Pennsylvania state certified school psychologists. Participation involves completing an online inventory via Qualtrics©, which takes approximately 25-30 minutes and includes an adapted and modified version of the School Psychologist Distress Inventory (SPDI), along with additional items and open-ended questions. Participation is voluntary, responses are anonymous, and participants may skip questions or exit the inventory at any time. An optional incentive is available through a separate form to maintain anonymity. Findings from this study will provide current insight into the lived experiences of school psychologists and are intended to inform advocacy efforts, strengthen professional supports, and promote sustainable practice, ultimately supporting practitioner well-being and improving outcomes for students and school communities. Link to the survey is: https://sru.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bk3aF2y1rozsdAa
Tara Ann Hoban, M.S., Ed.S., NCSP
Certified School Psychologist; Doctoral Candidate
Slippery Rock University
Email: tah1022@sru.edu