Published Research

Report

Impact of Individual Augmentation Policy on Navy Reserve Force Readiness

The authors examine the evolution of individual augmentation—from a stopgap to standard practice—and the effects on the Navy Reserve in terms of readiness and deployment times, specifically relating to anti-terror operations and the 2019 pandemic.

Bradley Martin, Michael Nixon, Natalia Henriquez Sanchez, Colin D. Smith

Report

The Emergency Management Institute at 70: From Civil Defense to Emergency Management in an Education and Training Institution

This report traces the 70-year history of the Emergency Management Institute from the founding of its predecessor in 1951 to the present. The story of these organizations’ development can inform current strategy about the institute’s future.

Patrick S. Roberts

Report

Creating Selective Overmatch: An Approach to Developing Cyberspace Options to Sustain U.S. Primacy Against Revisionist Powers

The authors apply the concept of selective overmatch to reevaluate current U.S. cyber operations in light of competition and possible conflict with China and show how this framework can provide a roadmap for U.S. Cyber Command’s future operations.

Tom Wingfield, Quentin E. Hodgson, Lev Navarre Chao, Bryce Downing, Jeffrey Engstrom, Derek Grossman, Chad Heitzenrater, Ryan Johnson, Christopher Paul, Clint Reach, Michael Schwille, John Yurchak

Report

Leveraging Commercial Space Services: Opportunities and Risks for the Department of the Air Force

RAND researchers evaluated two commercial space markets to understand opportunities, challenges, and risks that the Department of the Air Force could encounter when making decisions to invest in commercial space capabilities.

Jonathan P. Wong, Yool Kim, Krista Langeland, George Nacouzi, Krista Romita Grocholski, Jonathan Balk, Karishma V. Patel, Barbara Bicksler

Report

Students Using Lexia® Core5® Reading Show Greater Reading Gains Than Matched Comparison Students

This report evaluates the effects of Lexia® Core5® Reading on the reading achievement of students in grades 3–5 during the 2021–2022 academic year. Students who used the program experienced gains in average reading achievement.

John F. Pane, Dorothy Seaman, Christopher Joseph Doss

Report

How Are District Leaders Thinking About Mathematics? Selected Findings from the American School District Panel

To determine how school districts were approaching mathematics during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, researchers surveyed and interviewed leaders in the American School District Panel several times between fall 2021 and spring 2023.

Melissa Kay Diliberti, Kate Destler, Lydia R. Rainey, Heather L. Schwartz

Commentary

Existing and Emerging Topics and Potential Priorities for the Safety and Security of the Maritime Environment

This Perspective summarizes key existing and emerging maritime safety and security topics for policymakers and highlights some important considerations for technological modernization to support homeland security missions in this space.

Karishma R. Mehta, Abbie Tingstad, Emily Allendorf, Emily Haglund, Krista Romita Grocholski, Gary Cecchine

Research Brief

Insights on Implementing Technology-Enabled Human Resources Capabilities in the U.S. Air Force

This brief describes three key steps to implement digital talent management systems in human resources.

Douglas Yeung, Elicia M. John, Jeannette Gaudry Haynie, James Ryseff, Bonnie L. Triezenberg, Nelson Lim

Report

Proposals to Address Political Interference: Outcomes of a Trilateral Dialogue

These proceedings reflect discussions among U.S., Russian, and European Union nongovernmental experts who were convened in 2020–2021 to discuss mutual concerns regarding political interference and to find common ground on measures to address them.

Samuel Charap, Reinhard Krumm

Report

Rethinking Jointness? The Strategic Value of Jointness in Major Power Competition and Conflict

This report examines whether the assumption that jointness is inherently valuable to the U.S. military is correct, and if so, in what ways. Understanding how and why jointness is most valuable can help the U.S. military compete more effectively.

Mark Cozad, Maria McCollester, Jonathan Welch, Matthew Fay

Journal Article

Changes in Patient Experiences of Hospital Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Did patient hospital experiences change during the COVID-19 pandemic and, if so, did the changes differ across hospitals with different patient-staff ratios and prepandemic quality (hospital overall star rating)?

Marc N. Elliott, Megan K. Beckett, Christopher W Cohea, William Lehrman, Paul Cleary, Laura Giordano, Chelsea Russ, Elizabeth Goldstein, Lee A. Fleisher

Journal Article

Does Removing Menthol Cigarettes in Convenience Stores Reduce Susceptibility to Cigarette Smoking? An Experimental Investigation in Young People

This experiment evaluated whether the absence of menthol products from a convenience store influenced young people’s susceptibility to cigarette smoking after they shopped in the store.

William G. Shadel, Claude Messan Setodji, Steven C. Martino, Michael Stephen Dunbar, Desmond Jenson, Armenda Bialas, Rosemary Li

Journal Article

"It Haunts Me": Impact of COVID-19 Deaths on Frontline Clinicians In Acute Care Settings — A Qualitative Study

This article examines clinicians’ experiences around end-of-life situations that arose during the provision of care to dying patients with COVID-19 in acute care settings and the impact of these experiences on the clinicians’ lives as health care professionals over time.

Julia Bandini, Sangeeta C. Ahluwalia, George Timmins, Armenda Bialas, Lisa S. Meredith, Courtney A. Gidengil

Tool

Decoding Income Share Agreements: A Resource for Learners and Financial Aid Professionals

This tool is designed to help people figure out whether an income share agreement (ISA) is right for them. It provides information about how ISAs work, how to estimate monthly and total ISA payments, and how to weigh the benefits and risks of ISAs.

Melanie A. Zaber, Elizabeth D. Steiner, Jessica Arana

Brochure

The American Educator Panels Pricing Sheet: Taking the Pulse of America's Educators

This pricing guide describes the American Educator Panels and provides costs for the various research options available.

Report

Improving Integration and Synchronization of Space Acquisition and Fielding

The authors of this research explored ways the United States Space Force can facilitate the integration and synchronization of space acquisition and fielding to support the delivery of end-to-end space capabilities to outpace adversary threats.

Bonnie L. Triezenberg, William Shelton, Megan McKernan, Sarah W. Denton, James Dimarogonas, Brian Dolan, Shane Manuel, Gwen Mazzotta, Sydne J. Newberry, Laurinda L. Rohn, Karen Schwindt, Yuliya Shokh, Jordan Willcox

Report

A Framework of Deterrence in Space Operations

This report presents a framework on the nature and requirements of deterrence in space operations . Drawing on lessons from nuclear and cyber and selected national approaches to space deterrence, it presents three archetypes for space deterrence.

Stephen J. Flanagan, Nicholas Martin, Alexis A. Blanc, Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga

Commentary

Potential Changes to Veterans' Benefits Under the Major Richard Star Act: Veterans' Issues in Focus

The Major Richard Star Act would drop the “offset” that reduces retirement pay for some disabled veterans. If it is signed into law, what could change for veterans’ benefits, and how many veterans would see an increase in their compensation?

Stephanie Rennane

Commentary

Turning Climate Information into Action for Stormwater Management in the Mid-Atlantic Region

This Perspective presents key information needs for stormwater practitioners in the Mid-Atlantic region and provides recommendations that would support more effective stormwater planning, design, and management in the face of climate change.

Michelle E. Miro, Krista Romita Grocholski

Report

Indigent Defense Environmental Scan: Identifying Research Needs to Support Fair and Equitable Indigent Defense in the United States

The systems that provide counsel for indigent adult and juvenile defendants in the United States vary across states, localities, and jurisdictions. Researchers developed priorities to advance knowledge around effective indigent defense strategies.

Duren Banks, Lynn Langton, Madison Fann, Michael G. Planty, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson, Dulani Woods