Article type
Abstract
Background: Cochrane’s’ mission is to help people make informed choices about their health by providing summaries of the best evidence from research. Consumers who consider using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) typically make decisions outside of a standard medical setting. One goal of the Cochrane CAM Field is to translate the findings of CAM-related Cochrane reviews into a format understandable by the general public. However, understanding these findings requires an understanding of basic research concepts such as randomisation, as well as higher level concepts such as levels of evidence. Online research education that meets plain-language standards should be available to give consumers the foundational knowledge needed to understand research processes and levels of evidence.
Objectives:1) To identify and assess online English-language basic research education tools; and, 2) to identify gaps in existing resources.
Methods:An initial search of online resources offered by US federal health agencies found few resources to help consumers understand the basics of clinical research. Existing resources often did not meet plain-language standards. We will expand this search to consumer research education resources available at Cochrane websites. We will identify the type of resource offered (e.g. glossary, video), and which of 5 predefined basic research concept(s) are addressed by the resource. We will assess whether identified resources meet readability standards for both the general public and for low-literacy communities.
Results:We will report the number of resources identified, the scope and readability level of each, and the percent of resources that meets readability standards for the general public and for low-literacy communities.
Conclusions:We will identify gaps in the current online research education landscape and outline specific approaches that would improve the quality and availability of consumer research education.
Objectives:1) To identify and assess online English-language basic research education tools; and, 2) to identify gaps in existing resources.
Methods:An initial search of online resources offered by US federal health agencies found few resources to help consumers understand the basics of clinical research. Existing resources often did not meet plain-language standards. We will expand this search to consumer research education resources available at Cochrane websites. We will identify the type of resource offered (e.g. glossary, video), and which of 5 predefined basic research concept(s) are addressed by the resource. We will assess whether identified resources meet readability standards for both the general public and for low-literacy communities.
Results:We will report the number of resources identified, the scope and readability level of each, and the percent of resources that meets readability standards for the general public and for low-literacy communities.
Conclusions:We will identify gaps in the current online research education landscape and outline specific approaches that would improve the quality and availability of consumer research education.