Transdisciplinary research and evaluation for community health initiatives.

TitleTransdisciplinary research and evaluation for community health initiatives.
Publication TypePublication
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsHarper GW, Neubauer LC, Bangi AK, Francisco VT
JournalHealth Promot Pract
Volume9
Issue4
Pagination328-37
Date Published2008 Oct
ISSN1524-8399
KeywordsAdolescent, Adolescent Health Services, Adolescent Medicine, Community Health Planning, Community Health Services, Community Participation, Community-Based Participatory Research, Cooperative Behavior, HIV Infections, Humans, Interdisciplinary Communication, Interinstitutional Relations, Multicenter Studies as Topic, Organizational Case Studies, Process Assessment, Health Care, Program Evaluation, Public Health, Quality Assurance, Health Care, United States, Young Adult
Abstract

<p>Transdisciplinary research and evaluation projects provide valuable opportunities to collaborate on interventions to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Given team members' diverse backgrounds and roles or responsibilities in such projects, members' perspectives are significant in strengthening a project's infrastructure and improving its organizational functioning. This article presents an evaluation mechanism that allows team members to express the successes and challenges incurred throughout their involvement in a multisite transdisciplinary research project. Furthermore, their feedback is used to promote future sustainability and growth. Guided by a framework known as organizational development, the evaluative process was conducted by a neutral entity, the Quality Assurance Team. A mixed-methods approach was utilized to garner feedback and clarify how the research project goals could be achieved more effectively and efficiently. The multiple benefits gained by those involved in this evaluation and implications for utilizing transdisciplinary research and evaluation teams for health initiatives are detailed.</p>

DOI10.1177/1524839908325334
Alternate JournalHealth Promot Pract
PubMed ID18936267
PubMed Central IDPMC2836480
Grant ListU01 HD040474 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
U01 HD040533 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
U01 HD040533-01 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
U01 HD40533 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States