The EPT identified and implements the effective practices protocol of the NCIEC. This common protocol is to Investigates current and existing standard and best practices through extensive literature reviews, data collection from expert perspectives, focus groups, surveys, program assessments, and analysis. Where existing practices demonstrate evidence of best or promising outcomes, we evaluate outcomes for impact. Where gaps are identified in existing practice, we provide expert guidance to the NCIEC cross-regional teams for the development and evaluation of new practices.

Working with each NCIEC work team, each team develops well-defined and well-executed approaches to research related to their work. The team offers assistance to NCIEC work teams through:

• Project Proposal Analysis and Guidance towards Effective Practices: The team reviews every NCIEC proposed initiative to insure that its approach, practices, and activities satisfy the expectations of the NCIEC that our work reflects the highest standards of data collection, analysis, and evaluation of practices in order to demonstrate their effectiveness.
• Data Collection Assistance. Our work has typically been focused on research design and instrument design, leaving the work teams to implement the surveys and data collection tools with which we have assisted.
• Data Analysis Services. Teams that have gathered data receive a basic level of data analysis services focused on analysis and write up of standard surveys and data collection tools.
• NCIEC Outcomes Review. To assist the Consortium in meeting its overall goals, the team developed an analysis of the GPRA standards for the RSA grant program that funds the consortium, and to either identify the RSA program outcome goals for this project or propose to RSA what we think they ought to be.