Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Prev Sci. 2020 Oct;21(7):985-1000. doi: 10.1007/s11121-020-01151-1.
The Society for Prevention Research (SPR) aims to continually provide relevant professional development training opportunities to advance scientific investigation of ways to improve the health, well-being, and social and educational outcomes of individuals and communities. Our study, led by the Training Needs Assessment Task Force, designed a quantitative questionnaire informed by semistructured, qualitative interviews of 13 key prevention science informants. The questionnaire was deployed to all SPR members, of which 347 completed it. Questions about training topics were asked along 8 categories: (1) theory; (2) preventive interventions; (3) research methods, design, and evaluation; (4) teaching and mentoring; (5) practical and interpersonal skills; (6) communication; (7) project management; and (8) data analysis. Across all categories, respondents reported a high level of interest in receiving training: more than 80% were interested in training in data analytic methods; about 70% indicated interest in theory, preventive interventions, and research methods, design, and evaluation; about 65% were interested in at least 1 communication and project management topic; and 60% showed interest in at least 1 practical and interpersonal skills topic. Training-related interests varied across career level and race/ethnicity, with early-career individuals and people of color typically indicating the most interest. Participants were most likely to endorse self-initiated learning and webinars. SPR preconference training workshops were strongly endorsed for data analysis and preventive intervention topics. Recommendations from our study include a need for SPR to more strongly support self-initiated learning opportunities and continue preconference training programs, with special focuses in statistical methods and preventive interventions and regular assessment of members' training preferences.
预防研究学会（SPR）旨在不断提供相关的专业发展培训机会，以推进科学研究改善个人和社区的健康、福利以及社会和教育成果的方法。我们的研究由培训需求评估工作组领导，根据对 13 名关键预防科学知情人的半结构化定性访谈设计了一份定量问卷。该问卷分发给所有 SPR 成员，其中 347 人完成了问卷。围绕以下 8 个类别提出了有关培训主题的问题：（1）理论；（2）预防干预措施；（3）研究方法、设计和评估；（4）教学和指导；（5）实践和人际交往技能；（6）沟通；（7）项目管理；和（8）数据分析。在所有类别中，受访者报告对接受培训的兴趣很高：超过 80%的人对数据分析方法的培训感兴趣；约 70%的人表示对理论、预防干预措施以及研究方法、设计和评估感兴趣；约 65%的人对至少 1 个沟通和项目管理主题感兴趣；约 60%的人对至少 1 个实践和人际交往技能主题感兴趣。培训相关的兴趣因职业水平和种族/民族而异，早期职业人员和有色人种通常表现出最大的兴趣。参与者最有可能支持自我启动的学习和网络研讨会。SPR 会前培训研讨会强烈支持数据分析和预防干预主题的培训。我们的研究建议包括 SPR 需要更有力地支持自我启动的学习机会，并继续开展会前培训计划，特别关注统计方法和预防干预措施，并定期评估成员的培训偏好。
