CoP on Research Quality
This CoP focuses on issues related to research quality, including systematic reviews, and their application to disability and rehabilitation research such as that funded by NIDRR. Quality is also explored in relation to non-RCT designs such as quasi-experimental research and single subject designs.
The NCDDR first directed efforts to working with interested grantees to initiate a Community of Practice in 2005, for the purpose of sharing knowledge about conducting research within the NIDRR community and examining issues of quality and standards for high quality disability research. These activities indicated that the CoP concept is a positive strategy to encourage NIDRR grantees to work together in areas of common interest.
In 2006, the CoP on Research Quality—at NIDRR's request—focused on working with grantees in responding to the reporting requirements of the Annual Performance Report (APR). There was also a focus on the characteristics of Accomplishment Nuggets for 110 Health & Function grantees participating in the Annual Performance Assessment Expert Review (APAER) process. The goal was to increase grantees' understanding of key concepts in reporting their significant accomplishments, including outputs, short-term and intermediate outcomes, as well as what constitutes evidence to support those accomplishments. Several teleconferences were held with NIDRR staff, and special Web pages were maintained with up-to-date information from NIDRR on the APR and APAER process and reporting requirements.
Professional Development
Two workshops on Conducting Systematic Reviews of Randomized and Non-Randomized Studies were offered in 2007, as well as a Web-based online training course on Developing Evidence-Based Products Using the Systematic Review Process. Grantee participants in these activities are subscribed to an electronic discussion list where questions arising from the workshop/course activities are discussed. The participation of presenters and instructors helps maintain a focus on research quality. Reponses to questions on the discussion lists serve as the basis for future resource topics.
Webcast
Campbell Collaboration: New Directions in Identifying What Works (Webcast #3). Dr. Herb Turner, III, and Dr. Chad Nye of the Campbell Collaboration (C2) described the origin of C2, and explained and provided examples of the components of a Campbell systematic review. The Web cast transcript, presentation slides, and materials are archived for public use: http://www.ncddr.org/webcasts/webcast3.html
Publications
- Getting Published and Having an Impact: Turning Rehabilitation Research Results Into Gold,
FOCUS Technical Brief #19 - Appraising the Quality of Systematic Reviews,
FOCUS Technical Brief #17 - The Campbell Collaboration: Systematic Reviews and Implications for Evidence-Based Practice,
FOCUS Technical Brief #16 - The Role of Systematic Reviews in Evidence-Based Practice, Research, and Development,
FOCUS Technical Brief #15 - What Are the Standards for Quality Research,
FOCUS Technical Brief #9
Future Activities
CoP activities will be expanded in 2008 to help identify topics for new resources for grantees such as upcoming webcasts, new items for the Library of KT Resources, and additional workshop and training ideas. Teleconferences with invited experts, future webcasts, FOCUS Technical Briefs, and workshops (for example, "High quality single subject research designs") are in the planning stages.
How do I participate?
Staff members of NIDRR-funded projects are invited to join the CoP on Research Quality. Participants can utilize CoP resources, submit an article to FOCUS: Technical Brief, and suggest webcast topics related to issues of quality of rehabilitation research.
Contact us
For more information please contact Joann Starks (joann.starks@sedl.org).
National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR)
SEDL
1-800-266-1832
