Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What programs/products are reported here?
A: To be featured on this Web site, each program (spanning the topics of tobacco control, physical activity, sun safety, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, informed decision making for cancer screening, 5 A Day, and diet) must have been tested in a peer-reviewed and funded research study and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Unless otherwise copyrighted by the program developer, all programs make available the products or materials that were used in the research for the larger research and cancer control community.
Q: What does "research-tested" mean?
A: Research-tested means that the program was tested in a peer-reviewed and funded research study. A program may not experience the same degree of efficacy once it leaves the research setting if components used, the environment of the intervention, or the population served changes. Please refer to the Program Adaptation Guidelines for guidance.
Q: How do I know if this program will work in my setting?
A: You will want to consider the population served in the original research setting, the environment in which the research was conducted, and the method of delivery. For further guidance in adapting a program to the local community context, two resources are available on-line. The Program Adaptation Guidelines, which is an assessment checklist and Using What Works, which is a train-the-trainer course.
Q: Will additional programs be made available on this Web site?
A: Yes, programs will be added to this Web site on an ongoing basis. As cancer control intervention studies are published in peer-reviewed journals, they will be identified as potential submissions to the RTIPs database of programs. Initially programs will be released by topic area in conjunction with the release of evidence from the systematic review of intervention approaches (see Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Step 3) that are available for those topics.
Q: How do I make my program available through this site?
A: Cancer control intervention programs that
- have been evaluated through a peer-reviewed research grant
- have research findings that have been published in a peer-reviewed journal and
- have messages, materials and other intervention components that can be used in a community or clinical setting are posted on this site with the approval of the principal investigator.
If your program meets these criteria, please visit the on-line program registration form to submit the information regarding your program for further consideration for the RTIPs web site. If your program does not meet these criteria but you would like to find out how it might, please contact RTIPs@mail.nih.gov, for more information.
Q: How are the programs rated and by whom?
A: This site provides a consumer-reports-like list of programs that have been reviewed by a panel of topic experts in the field. Programs are rated on 16 criteria, for which six are reported, including dissemination capability; cultural appropriateness; age appropriateness; gender appropriateness; research integrity and intervention impact. More detailed information on the program ratings used.
Q: When should I use a research-tested intervention program rather then developing my own?
A: RTIPs-listed programs have been shown to be effective in the populations and settings in which they were studied. It is more likely to ensure success from the adoption and/or adaptation of a research-tested intervention program, which has been systematically tested in the field, than to create a new program for the same population delivered in the same setting.
When no research-tested intervention programs are available to meet your comprehensive cancer control needs (in terms of populations or settings), then creating a new program may be the best solution. However, in creating the new program it would be wise to consider:
- reviewing the available research evidence of similar intervention approaches summarized on Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Step 3, and
- involving local cancer control intervention research experts (see Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Step 2 for state and regional contacts who can assist you in identifying researchers in your area) in the design and evaluation of your new program. If your new program is tested in a peer-reviewed study and published in a peer-reviewed journal, it could be listed on the RTIPs Web site for use by others addressing a similar comprehensive cancer control issue.
Q: How do I order a program from RTIPs, and is there an associated fee?
A: Unless a program's materials are only available for order through the program developer's Web site, for which a link is provided on RTIPs, you may order one complete set of program products (e.g. print, audio, video material) for free on CD-Rom or download them if you have the computer capacity and telecommunications bandwidth to do so. Simply click on the "Preview, Download, Order" link below the program materials pictured on the Web site; this will bring you to the page which will help you to complete your order or download. If ordering, a CD Rom will be shipped to you within 7-10 business days. If you do not have the capability to print from CD Rom, your CD can be taken to any local print shop for paper copies.
Q: Are RTIPs programs 'model programs?'
A: RTIPs neither endorses nor recommends any of the products, processes, or services listed. Rather the information is provided to help you make an informed decision about the best program options to meet your cancer control needs. The views and opinions of authors expressed on this Web site do not necessarily state nor reflect those of the U.S. Government, and they may not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Some programs on the RTIPs Web site may be designated as model programs by other Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. partners (e.g. SAMHSA, CDC). RTIPs provides this information to the user and a link to that agency's Web site so that the user can determine the exact meaning of such a designation.
Q: Can I distribute RTIPs materials legally?
A: For products which are available for download on the RTIPs website, the program's primary contact and/or Principal Investigator has approved the dissemination of their materials for non-commercial purposes.
Q: What are readability formulas?
A: Readability formulas measure the grade level that a person must have completed in order to read a text. You can use them to assess if a text will be too hard for your reader. Readability is measured without actual readers. Readability formulas can NOT tell you if a person will understand the text. Nor can they measure the complexity of a word or phrase's meaning. Specific readability measures.
Q: What is a readability score?
A: A readability score is the grade level you need to have completed to be able to read the text. Pros and cons of readability formulas.
Q: How do I cite information from the RTIPs website?
A: 1) If you are citing the RTIPs website, use the following format below.
Research-tested Interventions Programs website. National Cancer Institute and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/index.do. Last Updated: [refer to footer at the bottom of web page]. Accessed on: "[Indicate this date]"
2) If you are citing from the RTIPs program summary, use the following format below. We are planning to indicate the "Last updated" information which is not available at this time. If you will be planning to cite another program summary in the near future, please check back with us for this information since the "Last updated" date may have changed.
"[Name of Program]" Research-tested Interventions Programs website. National Cancer Institute and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/index.do. Last updated: (Check with us). Accessed on: "[Indicate this date]"
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