List of Definitions for the Funding Opportunity Announcement #DP09-001

Scientific Definitions

Community:
A group of people who share some or all of the following: geographic boundaries; a sense of membership; culture and language; common norms, interests, or values; and common health risks or conditions. [IOM, The Future of the Public’s Health in the 21st Century, 2002]

Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR):
A joint effort that involves researchers and community representatives in all phases of the research process. The joint effort engages community members, employs local knowledge in the understanding of health problems and the design of interventions, and invests community members in the processes and products of research. In addition, the collaborative is invested in the dissemination and use of research findings to improve community health and reduce health disparities. [PRC Program, 2007]

Determinant Research:
A type of research that examines how various risk and protective factors affect health. [NCCDPHP Research Agenda, 2001]

Dissemination:
A targeted and facilitated process of distributing information and materials to organizations and individuals who can use them to improve health. [NCCDPHP Workgroup on Translation, 2008]

Dissemination Research:
The examination of strategies to promote adoption and maintenance of an effective program in other settings or with populations other than that of the original study. [PRC Information System, 2007]

Efficacy:
The extent to which an intervention yields the intended effect or outcomes under ideal conditions. [PRC Information System, 2007]

Effectiveness:
The extent to which the intended effects or outcomes that were achieved under optimal conditions are also achieved in real-world settings. [PRC Information System, 2007]

Evaluation Research:
A social science activity directed at collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating information about the workings and effectiveness of social programs. [Rossi, et al, Evaluation: A Systematic Approach, 7th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications; 2004]

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Implementation Research:
The study of a specified set of activities designed to put into practice an activity or program of known dimensions [Fixsen D, et al, Implementation Research: A Synthesis of the Literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network (FMHI Publication #231), 2005]

Intervention Research:
A type of research that examines the effectiveness of strategies or programs in reducing disease and promoting health and may include program evaluation, cost-effectiveness, or research synthesis. [NCCDPHP Research Agenda, 2001]

Logic Model:
Describes the sequence of events for bringing about change and synthesizes the main program elements into a picture of how the program is supposed to work. Often, this model is displayed as a flow chart, map, or table to portray the sequence of steps leading to program results. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health, MMWR 1999;48(no. RR-11)]

Practice-based Research:
A systematic inquiry into the systems, methods, policies, and programmatic applications of public health practice. [ASPH Council of Public Health Practice Coordinators. Demonstrating Excellence in Practice-based Research for Public Health, 2006]

Prevention Research:
A type of research that aims to prevent disease and promote health by developing and disseminating strategies applicable to public health programs and policies. [PRC RFA, 2003]

Program Evaluation:
The systematic collection of information about the activities, characteristics, and outcomes of programs to make judgments about the program, improve program effectiveness, or inform decisions about future program development. [Patton M. Utilization-focused Evaluation. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications; 1997]

Translation:
The process and steps needed or taken to ensure effective and widespread use of science-based programs, practices, and policies. [NCCDPHP Workgroup on Translation, 2008]

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Other definitions

PRC Director’s Meeting:
The PRC Directors and CDC Program staff meet formally two times each year to discuss issues and activities that affect the national PRC program. The CDC program office uses these meetings to gain insight and perspective from partners (academic researchers, community members, and public health practitioners) to ensure that the program is meeting its mission and vision.

PRC Program Meeting:
This meeting occurs annually, usually in Atlanta, Georgia, and provides an opportunity for PRC investigators, community members, state health department members, and others to share their research and experiences with each other as well as provide an opportunity for PRCs to showcase their research to and network with CDC staff.

PRC Information System:
The PRC Program uses a management information system, the Prevention Research Centers Information System (PRC IS). It is a centralized, secure, Web-based system designed to help PRCs collect, store, and report information about their center, projects, products (e.g., publications), and training programs. The PRC Program office uses the information for program planning and assessment and for providing timely responses to queries from CDC, government officials and legislators, and public health researchers and practitioners. PRCs also use the PRC IS to generate CDC-required semi-annual reports (interim and annual reports).

The PRC IS was developed with participation from the PRCs and the PRC Program office and was implemented in 2004. The PRC Program office provides PRCs with training and technical support. In addition, online help pages incorporated into the PRC IS provide instant instructions and assistance. The PRC Program office continually enhances the PRC IS as suggested by the PRCs to the extent the recommendations are feasible and within the plans and budget.

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