Funding News - Research Sought on Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Science

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) encourages grant applications for research aimed at improving and developing methodology and measurement in the behavioral and social sciences. This announcement is made together with 11 other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).*

The behavioral and social sciences offer significant fundamental insights into the comprehensive understanding of human health—including disease etiology and treatment, and the promotion of health and well-being. Methodology and measurement encompass research design, data collection, measurement, and data analysis techniques. The goal of this program announcement is to encourage research that will improve the quality and scientific power of data collected in the behavioral and social sciences, relevant to the missions of the NIH institutes and centers.

Areas of research interest include, but are not limited to, methodology and measurement issues: in developing innovative interdisciplinary, multimethod, and multilevel research designs for use in behavioral and social science research; in research relating to diverse populations, for example, populations that are distinctive by virtue of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture, including culture-specific medical systems, socio-economic status, literacy, language, or disability; in studying how dramatic changes in economic, social, environmental, physical, or political context affect human health and well-being; in studying potentially sensitive behaviors, such as sexual behavior and abortion, and covert or illegal behaviors such as drug use, abuse, and violence; and concerning ethics in research, with emphasis on the topics of informed consent, assessment of risk and benefit, selection and retention of subjects, and ensuring subjects' confidentiality.

For more information, potential applicants should contact Dr. Emmeline Edwards, Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Research, NINDS, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2109, Bethesda, MD 20892; telephone: 301-496-9248; fax: 301-402-4370; e-mail: ee48r@nih.gov.

*For a full list of supporting NIH components and a more detailed description of this program announcement, please visit the NIH web site at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-090.html.