UE5NS128228

Enhancing Experimental Rigor through Education in Evidence Synthesis - Project Summary/Abstract

More research is being published now than at any other time in history, and this research is accessible worldwide. Due to the rapid proliferation of research, it can be difficult, if not impossible, for an individual to stay abreast of important findings that can impact research and evidence-based practice. Yet, having a comprehensive understanding of the literature is foundational to advancing knowledge. This allows a researcher to identify existing gaps in knowledge so that they can design new research to advance the area forward.

One way to achieve this is through a rigorous evidence synthesis, or a systematic approach to gathering and analyzing results from multiple sources. In practice, the use of evidence syntheses requires improvement, as they are often poorly conducted and reported, which has serious downstream impacts on public health. While there are ample resources currently available to researchers on the topic, they are underutilized and may not be fully accessible to all individuals who may benefit from them.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) seeks to improve fundamental knowledge through timely dissemination of scientific discoveries in the area of neurological disease. This mission, across the translational spectrum, is fully supported by enhancing skills in evidence synthesis, which can prevent waste in research investment. As knowledge of the brain and nervous system advances rapidly, scientists in this area have to be highly reflexive to changing current knowledge to ensure that their work is relevant. Training in the skills of evidence synthesis enables this.

Accordingly, the aim of this proposal is to develop, evaluate, and disseminate a series of educational modules on rigorous approaches to science focused on evidence synthesis. The proposed modules will cover the following topics: (1) an introduction to evidence synthesis, (2) developing a research question and proposal, (3) designing literature searches, (4) conducting an evidence synthesis, (5) analyzing data from an evidence synthesis, and (6) reporting results from an evidence synthesis. The modules will be designed to be utilized by different levels of learners (introductory, intermediate, and advanced) and apply across the translational spectrum (basic science, clinical science, and public health).

Module development, evaluation, and dissemination will occur with an iterative process of review and feedback across multiple stakeholders (experts and lay persons alike) to create a useful and comprehensive final product. The opportunity to improve the use of evidence synthesis techniques through a platform that is accessible to all interested scientists has significant potential to enhance scientific rigor and, ultimately, improve public health.

Duquesne University Of The Holy Spirit

(1) TO SUPPORT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) INCLUDING: BASIC RESEARCH THAT EXPLORES THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING THESE DISORDERS, RESEARCH ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, IMPROVED METHODS OF DISEASE PREVENTION, NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL DEVICES, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. THE INSTITUTE IS THE LARGEST FUNDER OF BASIC NEUROSCIENCE IN THE US AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING NEUROGENESIS AND PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY, AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH, SYNAPSE FORMATION, FUNCTION, AND PLASTICITY, LEARNING AND MEMORY, CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS, AND PUMPS, CIRCUIT FORMATION AND MODULATION, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING, INTEGRATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS, SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON A NUMBER OF DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): STROKE, TRAUMATIC INJURY TO THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, MOVEMENT DISORDERS, BRAIN TUMORS, CONVULSIVE DISORDERS, INFECTIOUS DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, IMMUNE DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DISORDERS RELATED TO SLEEP, AND PAIN. PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE, ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES, THE DIVISION OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE NEUROSCIENCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES. (2) TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. TO UTILIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM, TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.853 - Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NNDS) [HHS - NIH]

Pennsylvania United States

State-Wide

Materials to Enhance Training in Experimental Rigor (METER) (UE5 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-NS-21-033)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 07/31/25 to 01/31/26 and the total obligations have increased 187% from $93,618 to $268,974.