Our Research
Advancing Healthcare Through Research
Research Overview
The Roberts-Turner Lab conducts applied clinical research that improves healthcare delivery, strengthens the healthcare workforce and enhances the experiences of children, families and healthcare professionals. Through implementation science, quality improvement and interdisciplinary collaboration, our research translates evidence into practice to create measurable improvements in patient care and clinical outcomes.
Our work spans healthcare systems, academic institutions and community partnerships, with a focus on developing innovative, evidence-based solutions that promote equitable, person-centered care while advancing nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
Current Research Portfolio
Hair For You™ (Featured Study)
Hair For You is the Roberts-Turner Lab's flagship implementation science initiative. This multi-organization educational research study evaluates the impact of evidence-based training on healthcare professionals' knowledge, confidence and clinical practices related to culturally responsive hair and scalp care.
The study is currently enrolling participants from collaborating healthcare organizations and schools of nursing.
PEAK and NADIR
An implementation science study examining how operational stress, staffing variability and organizational conditions influence patient safety, workforce performance and healthcare delivery.
Research Themes
- Workforce Innovation
- Leadership
- Quality & Safety
- Patient Experience
- Health Equity
Hair For You Research Study
Welcome
Welcome to the Hair For You Research Study, conducted through the Roberts-Turner Lab at Children's National Research Institute.
You have been invited to participate by your healthcare organization or school of nursing. Thank you for your interest in helping advance evidence-based, culturally responsive hair and scalp care.
About Hair For You
Hair For You is an evidence-based educational program designed to improve healthcare professionals' knowledge, confidence, and clinical practices related to culturally responsive hair and scalp care. The program promotes individualized, patient-centered care while helping clinicians provide safe, respectful, and equitable care for patients with diverse hair textures and cultural practices.
Why This Research Matters
Hair and scalp care are fundamental components of holistic, person-centered nursing care. Despite their importance, healthcare professionals often receive limited formal education on caring for diverse hair textures and cultural hair practices.
The Hair For You study seeks to address this gap by evaluating whether evidence-based education improves clinicians' knowledge, confidence, and clinical practice. Findings from this study will help inform future educational programs and support the integration of culturally responsive hair and scalp care into routine healthcare delivery.
The competency includes the Study Information Sheet, Participant Eligibility Verification, Pre-Test, Educational Module, Post-Test and Competency Evaluation.
Estimated Time: 50–75 minutes
Completion Window: You may complete the study in one session or return to complete it over multiple sessions within 8 weeks.
Before You Begin
Please confirm that:
✓ You are 18 years of age or older.
✓ You were invited by a participating healthcare organization or school of nursing.
✓ You have reviewed the Study Information Sheet.
✓ You understand that participation is voluntary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
Healthcare professionals, healthcare support personnel, nursing students, nursing faculty, and other direct care personnel who have been invited by a participating healthcare organization or school of nursing are eligible to participate. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long does the study take?
The study takes approximately 50–75 minutes to complete, including:
- Study Information Sheet (approximately 5 minutes)
- Participant Eligibility Verification (2–3 minutes)
- Pre-Test (10–15 minutes)
- Hair For You Educational Module (30–45 minutes)
- Post-Test and Competency Evaluation (10–15 minutes)
Participants have up to 8 weeks to complete all study activities.
Do I receive continuing education (CE) credit?
Yes. Participants who successfully complete all required components of the educational program are eligible to receive 1.0 continuing education (CE) credit. Additional information regarding CE credit and certificate issuance will be provided upon completion.
Can I stop participating at any time?
Yes. Participation is completely voluntary. You may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. Your decision to participate or withdraw will not affect your employment, academic standing or relationship with your healthcare organization or school.
What happens to my information?
Information collected during the study will be securely stored and managed in accordance with applicable privacy regulations and institutional research policies. Results will be reported only in aggregate, and individual participants will not be identified.
Can I complete the study over multiple days?
Yes. You may complete the study in one sitting or return later to complete any remaining activities. All study requirements must be completed within 8 weeks.
Who do I contact if I have technical issues?
If you experience technical difficulties accessing the study or completing any study activities, please contact:
Hair For You Research Team
Roberts-Turner Lab
Children's National Research Institute
Please include your name, your healthcare organization or school of nursing, and a brief description of the issue.
Privacy Notice
Information collected during this study will be securely stored and used only for the purposes described in the Study Information Sheet. Individual participants will not be identified in reports or publications.
Copyright Notice
The Hair For You™ educational materials and competency are protected by U.S. copyright law and are the intellectual property of the Roberts-Turner Lab. These materials are provided solely for authorized participants and may not be copied, recorded, distributed or reused without prior written permission will be reported only in aggregate form without identifying individual participants.
Ready to Begin?
Click the link below to access the Hair For You Competency.