The Community Advisors on Research Design and Strategies (CARDS)®
The Community Advisors on Research Design and Strategies (CARDS)® is a program of the Wisconsin Network for Research Support (WINRS), an innovative consulting service for health science researchers. The CARDS are trained, readily mobilizable focus groups who give feedback on any patient/public-facing materials. They reflect the voices of racial and socioeconomic groups who are rarely represented in research planning or activities. Their advice helps researchers design and conduct research studies that are able to attract/retain the most diverse pool of study participants possible. This helps assure effective, efficient use of research dollars, make research outcomes/findings more meaningful and speed the process of translational science.
Outcomes
There are two most tangible outcomes: 1) Efficient use of research dollars. It is a common problem that research projects get funding, but are unable to recruit a sufficient number (or diversity) of research participants. The CARDS help researchers improve their study design/materials and avoid unintended offense or embarrassment that can turn people away from research studies. 2) Having more successful - and diverse - recruitment makes research findings that much more meaningful and powerful and can help reduce health inequities.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Gay Thomas
Director Of Research Partnerships And Recruitment
- Department/Unit
- Wisconsin Network for Research Support
- School or College
- School of Nursing