Web-based Learning Opportunities

• Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Interactive Textbook
• Evidence-Based Behavioral Practice

Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Interactive Textbook

Under an OBSSR-contract The New England Research Institutes (NERI) is in the final stages of developing an interactive, online course on research methods and tools for researchers engaging in BSS research on health-related topics. The project aims to (1) demonstrate the potential of BSS research to enhance biomedical research, (2) serve as a resource center for the most current and high quality BSS research methods; (3) reveal how to easily and efficiently obtain authoritative answers to methodological questions, and (4) identify consistent and rigorous quality standards for the research community. Recognized international experts in their fields are developing the 16 modules for this web-based learning site:

1. Determining Appropriate Methods
   John B. McKinlay, PhD
2. The Concept of ‘Science’ in the Behavioral and Social Sciences
   Jeffrey Coulter, PhD
3. Theory Development and Construction
   Stephen Turner, PhD
4. Concepts in Sample Surveys
   Sarah M. Nusser, PhD and Michael D. Larsen, PhD
5. Do’s and Don’ts of interviewing
   Steve Woodland, PhD
6. Administrative Data Systems in Behavioral and Social Science Research on Health and Aging
   Vincent Mor, PhD
7. A Reporting Checklist for Observational Studies
   Richard Berk, PhD
8. Using Qualitative Methods to Study Health and Illness
   David Silverman, PhD
9. Conversation Analysis as an Approach to the Medical Encounter
   John Heritage, PhD
10. Integrating Software and Qualitative Analysis
    Eben Weitzman, PhD
11. Clinical Trials
    Duolao Wang, PhD and Ameet Bakhai, MD, MRCP
12. Cluster Unit Randomized Trials
    Allan Donner, PhD
13. Multi-level Modeling: A Conceptual and Methodological Overview
    S. V. Subramanian, PhD
14. Operationalizing, Measuring and Defining Psychosocial Variables
    Keith Widaman, PhD
15. Ensuring Conceptual Cultural and Equivalence
    Leo Morales, PhD
16. From Quality of Life to Patient-Reported Outcomes
    Donald L. Patrick, PhD and Gordon Guyatt, PhD

Evidence-Based Behavioral Practice

Also under a contract with the OBSSR, the Interdisciplinary Council for Training in Evidence-based Behavioral Practice (EBBP) has established a website and training modules at http://www.ebbp.org. A goal of the EBBP project is to develop online learning tools to help behavioral practitioners and students integrate research and practice in real-world conditions. Three training modules are currently available: The EBBP Process, Searching for Evidence, and Introduction to Systematic Reviews.

The EBBP Process module aims to enhance the skills of behavioral interventionists from a variety of health care disciplines to find, appraise, and apply evidence to improve the health of individuals, communities, and other populations. In Searching for Evidence, behavioral health professionals will learn about available on-line resources and develop skills to more effectively search for health care evidence. In Systematic Reviews, evidence-users will learn to appraise the quality of systematic reviews, and evidence-creators will learn the basic steps in conducting a systematic review. Instructors who use the modules or other EBBP materials in their courses are also invited to share syllabi, conference presentations, and other resources in the new EBBP Teaching Resource Library at http://ebbp.org/syllabus.php.