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Communication Science in Action:
User-Centered Research

List to Connie!

I'm Connie Dresser, the Program Director for the Multimedia Technology Health Communication Small Business Innovation Research Program……the SBIR, in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute.

The institute funds small businesses and non-profit organizations to develop and evaluate science-based, theory-driven, user-centered, health informatics and communication products that promote behaviors to lower the risk of cancer. This is particularly critical when communicating with traditionally underserved populations.

To help achieve these efforts, the SBIR Program requires different types of evaluation in addition to the external peer reviewer of grant and contract applications. Products developed by awardees are evaluated by three groups: 1) the NCI User-Centered Informatics Research Lab in the Office of Education and Special Initiatives, 2) NCI scientists, and 3) NIH scientists at the biennial SBIR Products Showcase sponsored by the Division.

Our partnership with the Informatics Research Lab ensures that our SBIR products undergo rigorous usability testing with intended end-users. The Lab's guidelines-based approach combines insights from the cognitive sciences, risk communication, human factors and related disciplines. This testing, offered to all our SBIR grantees and contractors, contributes significantly to the evidence-base for their products and services and enhances the potential for commercial viability.

• eHealth at NCI