Collaboration cycle
Collaboration cycle
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Research review

Last Updated: September 9, 2026

Waiver available: Yes

Recommended timing: Request this touchpoint 1–2 weeks before you plan to conduct research. Teams usually schedule it once they have a working prototype, but research can offer helpful insight at any stage.

Owner: Gov Research Lead

Format: Asynchronous — no meeting is held.

How this touchpoint helps you, VA, and Veterans

If you're doing research with Veterans, a Research Review is required. The Gov Research Lead reviews your research plan to help make sure your approach will get useful, reliable insight from the Veterans, caregivers, families, survivors, or representatives you're studying.

This touchpoint is only for teams building products for Veterans, their caregivers, families, survivors, and representatives. If you're building for organizations — VA employees, contractors, or representatives acting in an organizational capacity — skip this touchpoint.

See the Research Checklist for more info.

No GitHub ticket yet? Start with a Collab Cycle kickoff first.

What you need to bring

Required artifacts

You’re ready for this touchpoint when

  • You're preparing to do user research

How to schedule your review

  1. Review the guidance
    Check the Research Checklist for full details on the process.

  2. Submit your study for asynchronous review
    Follow the research review and recruitment process to start your review and kick off your participant recruitment at least 7 days before research begins.

The researcher who is conducting the research should submit their materials for review.

How to prepare for your review

Deadline: Submit your research materials at least 7 days before you plan to begin your research.

How to deliver: Add your study to the research repo board and follow the directions to start the process.

What happens during the review

Format: Asynchronous

Expected outcomes: You'll receive feedback as a comment on the issue card you submitted to the repo. Incorporate any feedback that you receive, and make any requested edits.

What happens after the review

Once your study is approved, it'll be sent to Perigean to kick off recruiting.

Waiver process

Although rare, some work may not require a Research Review. We recommend first discussing this at Gov Leads Sync.

If you believe your team should skip this touchpoint, please comment on your Collaboration Cycle GitHub ticket and briefly provide a justification, for example:

  • Existing product that has already been researched, tested, and is making minor or no user experience changes or interactions

  • Team accepts the risks of more delays, compliance documentation, and launch-blocking findings at Staging Review

Once you comment, we will respond via your Collab Cycle GitHub ticket to confirm or request additional details.

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