| Session Title: Evaluating Public Health Research Centers: Assessing the Value-Added |
| Think Tank Session 120 to be held in Room 112 in the Convention Center on Wednesday, Nov 5, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Sponsored by the Research, Technology, and Development Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Thomas Bartenfeld, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tab3@cdc.gov |
| Howard Kress, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hak5@cdc.gov |
| Discussant(s): |
| Sue Lin Yee, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sby9@cdc.gov |
| Demia Wright, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, amy7@cdc.gov |
| Michele Hoover, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mlh5@cdc.gov |
| Abstract: Assessing the value of research centers requires a focus on the overall research program, not merely the projects that they undertake. The technology, energy, and medical fields have done much work on how to evaluate research programs. In evaluating their own funded research centers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can apply many of these methods. However, given the scope and breadth of responsibilities, the disparate activities within and across centers, the modest funding for CDC research programs, and the need for value judgments, CDC evaluators have had to make strategic decisions to get at the 'so what' of its research center programs. Staff from CDC's Prevention Research Centers (PRC), Injury Control Research Centers (ICRC), and Academic Centers for Excellence (ACE) on Youth Violence Prevention will lead a brainstorming and sharing session on evaluating public health research center programs in light of limited funding and evaluation resources. |