Brown University, 91 Waterman St., Level 1, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
University of Rhode Island, Department of Psychology, 130 Flagg Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
Eval Program Plann. 2022 Oct;94:102145. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102145. Epub 2022 Aug 3.
In evaluation research, "programs" are often conceptualized as clearly bounded, narrow in scope, focused on specific outcomes, using a well-defined linear causal model, and hence, suitable for standard evaluation methods. The evaluation work reported here was carried out in a more challenging context, where large, complex, interwoven systems were targets for change as a means to influence a diffuse array of outcomes. Our evaluation of an NIH-funded program to improve statewide infrastructure for clinical and translational health research ("Advance-CTR") used qualitative data provided by investigators who used the program's services, were funded awardees, or were members of an internal advisory committee (leadership representatives from partnering institutions). We examined perceived barriers to systemic changes to enhance research, as well as how systems have changed due to the Rhode Island Advance-CTR program's efforts, to what degree, and with what effects. Using the causal logic of our program to connect these more distal systemic outcomes to the services and components of Advance-CTR, we discuss the effects this program has had on researchers and their environments, contributing to the development of sustainable programs of research that ultimately improve the health and well-being of our state's residents.
在评估研究中，“项目”通常被概念化为明确界定的、范围狭窄的、专注于特定结果的、使用明确线性因果模型的，因此适合标准的评估方法。这里报告的评估工作是在一个更具挑战性的背景下进行的，其中大型、复杂、交织的系统是变革的目标，目的是影响广泛的结果。我们对美国国立卫生研究院（NIH）资助的一个旨在改善全州临床和转化健康研究基础设施的项目（“Advance-CTR”）进行了评估，该项目使用了服务的调查人员、受资助的获奖者或内部咨询委员会（来自合作机构的领导代表）提供的定性数据。我们研究了阻碍系统变革以加强研究的因素，以及由于罗得岛 Advance-CTR 项目的努力，系统发生了哪些变化、变化程度以及产生了什么影响。我们利用我们项目的因果逻辑将这些更遥远的系统结果与 Advance-CTR 的服务和组成部分联系起来，讨论该项目对研究人员及其环境的影响，为可持续的研究计划的发展做出了贡献，最终提高了我们州居民的健康和福祉。
