Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessments, and Program Evaluations – Resources

Evaluating Tablet Computers as a Survey Tool in Rural Communities
Examines whether two survey methods, paper and pencil versus tablet computers, yield similar survey responses to common health questionnaires in undeserved rural communities. Examines perceptions of usability for each survey method and whether findings could be replicated between the survey methods.
Author(s): Steve M. Newell, Henrietta L. Logan, Yi Guo, John G. Marks, James A. Shepperd
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(1), 108-117
Date: 01/2015
view details

Building Partnerships in Community-Based Participatory Research: Budgetary and Other Cost Considerations
Explores costs and budget considerations when implementing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework to work with communities to reduce health disparities. Analysis can inform budget discussions and assist with planning CBPR project timelines. Table 1 details budget concerns for CBPR project staff and Table 2 lists opportunity costs associated with community partners for a CBPR project.
Author(s): Theresa J. Hoeft, Wylie Burke, Scarlett E. Hopkins, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 15(2), 263-270
Date: 03/2014
view details

Comparison of Enrollment Rates of African-American Families Into a School-Based Tobacco Prevention Trial Using Two Recruitment Strategies in Urban and Rural Settings
Describes results from using two recruitment approaches targeting rural and urban African-American elementary school families in the South for enrollment in a tobacco prevention program. The intervention used the Facilitate, Open and transparent communication, Shared benefits, Team and tailored, Educate bilaterally, and Relationships, realistic and rewards (FOSTER) approach, which is based on community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles.
Author(s): Martha S. Tingen, Jeannette O. Andrews, Janie Heath, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Health Promotion, 27(4), e91–e100
Date: 2013
view details

Community Health Needs Assessment Toolkit
Designed to help rural hospitals conduct a community health needs assessment, which is a requirement for all 501(c)(3) hospitals.
Author(s): Gerald A. Doeksen, Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 05/2012
Sponsoring organizations: National Center for Rural Health Works, Oklahoma Office of Rural Health
view details

Rural Issues Related to Comparative Effectiveness Research and Dissemination
Describes strategies for expanding clinical research in rural environments; implementing practice guidelines in rural settings; and improving access to current evidence-based information for rural health professionals and patients.
Author(s): Ira Moscovice, Michelle Casey
Date: 06/2009
Sponsoring organization: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
view details

Bridging Rural Health Research and Policy: Dissemination Strategies
Describes five strategies for effective dissemination and expanded use of rural health services research and discusses the infrastructure needed to enhance rural health research dissemination.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Timothy D. McBride, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 08/2007
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
view details

Rural Definitions for Health Policy and Research
Compares several rural definitions and discusses their strengths and weaknesses. Also addresses the issues related to using these geographic definitions in policy and research.
Author(s): L. Gary Hart, Eric H. Larson, Denise M. Lishner
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 95(7), 1149-1152
Date: 07/2005
view details

Growing and Sustaining Community Partnerships: A Use Case
Offers 2 case studies from West Virginia on community partnerships to support community-engaged research. Case studies discuss emergency response efforts and a community ambassador program. Includes 2 toolkits on working with the community and partner compensation for successful community-based participatory research projects.
Sponsoring organization: National Institutes of Health Community Engagement Alliance
view details

Assessment for Advancing Community Transformation Tool
Provides guidance and resources to help community-based teams and individuals identify focal areas for health transformation based on 6 key themes and 22 subthemes using a score-based assessment method.
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
view details

Data for Rural Analysis
A collection of resources to help policymakers and researchers identify and describe rural and urban areas. Lists tools that can be used to determine rural status and degree of rurality and find county-level socioeconomic data. Also identifies other sources of rural data.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details