2025 Research Call
Purpose
This annual Research Call is published by Pearson Clinical Assessment. Our mission is to ensure that our assessments comply with the highest standards and quality and improve outcomes for the customers we serve. The purpose of the Research Call is to obtain independent research that contributes to the validation and efficacy of Pearson Clinical Assessment products and offerings.
Who can apply
We invite faculty members, graduate students and qualified researchers based in the United States to submit proposals of relevance to the research areas outlined below.
Research areas
- Expand validity
Proposals evaluating the clinical validity or use within populations not included in the normative samples of one or more Pearson Clinical Assessment products.
For example, conducting a clinical study for a test with a population not reported in the test’s manual or included in the normative sample. - Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
Proposals investigating the use of artificial intelligence with Pearson Clinical Assessment products or offerings.
Examples include application of AI to scoring, interpretation or other aspects of the assessment workflow, analyzing complex data sets, or adapting assessments. - Efficacy
Proposals investigating the use of Pearson Clinical Assessment products or offerings to improve outcomes for intended groups or settings.
Examples include application of assessments in intervention such as linking assessment results to interventions or progress monitoring.
- Methodological studies
Proposals investigating new data collection, norming or psychometric methods, or scoring approaches with Pearson Clinical Assessment products (e.g., applied use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, GSV, change scores, data simulations). - Incorporating non-traditional measures into assessment
Proposals investigating wearable device use with Pearson Clinical Assessment products (e.g., combining the wearable device and data captured from Revibe with measures from a behavior rating scale to expand assessment outside of the testing session).
Data, funding, and duration of projects
- Pearson will provide researchers with Pearson Clinical Assessment test data (e.g., standardization data) and/or product materials, if required by the research proposal.
- The maximum budget for all research projects accepted in 2025 is $15,000. Funding is available for one or more research projects and the amount of each award will be based on the scope and required budget of the accepted proposals.
- The maximum duration of projects is 1 year, to be completed by December 2026 or one year from the date of the signed contract, whichever is later.
How to apply
The principal investigator is requested to complete the online form and include their curriculum vitae and a well-structured research proposal. Email any questions about the application process to CallForResearch@pearson.com.
Vetting process
Each proposal will be rated internally according to the following criteria:
- Match with the Research Call: Contributes to the validation or efficacy of Pearson products
- Quality of research design: Includes a sound theoretical foundation and clear methodology and complies with data protection & ethics standards
- Feasibility of the research given the budget, timeline, and availability of data requested (if applicable)
- Impact or benefit to the development and use of Pearson products
- Proposals utilizing Pearson measures with fewer published research studies are encouraged.
The shortlisted applicants will be notified and may be contacted to provide further details about their proposal. Applicants will be notified if there are any delays to the timetable for the vetting process.
Notification to Applicants
Pearson will notify all applicants by the deadline provided in the timetable (see below).
Accepted Proposals
Following the signing of an agreement between the researcher(s) and Pearson, the researcher(s) will commit to send Pearson regular reports on the project and to share the final data with Pearson.
The researcher(s) will have full publishing rights in the research results. Pearson will have rights in the data produced by the project and may use such data to enhance its products and services.
Timetable
- August 15, 2025: Last date for receipt of all applications
- September 2025: Vetting and selection
- No later than September 30, 2025: Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to all applicants
For applicants of accepted proposals:
- October–December 2025: Onboarding to finalize contracts and data requirements
- January 2026: Research activity begins
- December 2026: Research completed, data and research results/manuscript submitted to Pearson
Awardees
In effort to ensure our assessments comply with the highest standards of quality, the Call for Research obtains independent research that contributes to the validation and efficacy of Pearson Clinical Assessment products and offerings. Learn more about previous Call for Research awardees and how their research is progressing!
