Formative Research in School and Community-Based Health Programs and Studies: “State of the Art” and the TAAG Approach

Abstract

Formative research uses qualitative and quantitative methods to provide information for researchers to plan intervention programs. Gaps in the formative research literature include how to define goals, implementation plans, and research questions; select methods; analyze data; and develop interventions. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funded the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG), a randomized, multicenter field trial, to reduce the decline in physical activity in adolescent girls. The goals of the TAAG formative research are to (a) describe study communities and schools, (b) help design the trial's interventions, (c) develop effective recruitment and retention strategies, and (d) design evaluation instruments. To meet these goals, a variety of methods, including telephone interviews, surveys and checklists, semistructured interviews, and focus group discussions, are employed. The purpose, method of development, and analyses are explained for each method.

Elements of effective community engagement: lessons from a targeted malaria elimination study in Lao PDR (Laos)

“…Such research aims to identify potential participants’ beliefs, values, attitudes, knowledge and behaviors related to the health problem of interest and provide insight into key aspects of the local context [31,32]. With regard to malaria control programs, past failures of ‘one size fits all’ has prompted the development of a tailored approach [33].…”

Contribution of formative research to design an environmental program for obesity prevention in schools in Mexico City

“…28 In addition, the use of multiple data collection methods during formative research has been recommended in this type of study. [29][30] We carefully selected several methods appropriate to the information gaps and needs of the trial. The use of methodological instruments and stakeholders' triangulation was useful to a) understand the problem from different points of view, b) better understand the school environment, c) corroborate and explain information within methods, d) develop a comprehensive matrix of the situation, e) guide the intervention selection, and g) to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention by different stakeholders.…”

“…Formative research is a key component of behavior change interventions, and its utility in developing intervention trials has been documented by various authors. 7,9 Appropriately designed prevention programs, based on formative research and using multi-level interventions, including environmental modification, may be most effective at influencing health outcomes. 10 This article describes the methods and key findings of formative research conducted to design a school-based program for obesity prevention.…”

Promoting Physical Literacy in Irish Adolescent Youth: The Youth-Physical Activity Towards Health (Y-PATH) Intervention

“…In line with the promotion of physical literacy [5,6,40], it is important to note that the Y-PATH intervention was developed with a strong focus on PE based HRA [41][42][43][44][45][46] and FMS [47][48][49][50], with additional school, teacher and parental components.…”