Evaluation

Idaho INBRE provides internal and external formative and summative evaluations and implements modifications as needed to keep the Network achieving the overall aims of the program. Evaluation is key to ensure INBRE resources are used to maximum benefit, activities have high-value outcomes, and the scientific Network remains cohesive. The overall evaluation strategy is seen in the figure shown below. The Administrative Core oversees the evaluation plan.

Idaho INBRE uses two approaches to gather accurate and timely information from all network participants:

1. Employ an Idaho INBRE-created reporting database with searchable, sortable, downloadable information.
   • Every INBRE participant (faculty, students, staff) has password- protected access and is requested to report information tailored to their level of INBRE participation.
2. Gather comprehensive summative data using interviews, focus groups, pre- and post-surveys, review of project documents, standardized progress reports, Core usage rates, SC meeting summaries, EAC recommendations, researcher and student progress and satisfaction, college/university administration satisfaction, institutional records, and Idaho INBRE and NIH administration perceptions.

Using these mechanisms, every INBRE activity has a ‘post-mortem’ discussion to identify positive and negative outcomes. This analysis results in conclusions and defines choices to apply formative adjustments for the ongoing success of the program.

Finally, at the end of year-2, a formal, independent, external evaluation of the Idaho INBRE Program takes place. An independent panel that has specific expertise in INBRE and large program evaluation is commissioned to evaluate the programmatic impact of INBRE to improve Idaho’s biomedical research capacity.

The five specific aims of INBRE-4 are:

Specific Aim 1:  Build on the established Idaho research Network with the scientific focus of Cell Signaling and strengthen the participating Idaho institutions’ biomedical research expertise and infrastructure.

Specific Aim 2: Build and increase the research base and capacity by providing support to faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students at the participating Idaho institutions.

Specific Aim 3:  Provide research opportunities for undergraduate students and serve as a “pipeline” for these students to continue in health research careers within Idaho.

Specific Aim 4:  Enhance Idaho’s workforce knowledge of science and technology.

Specific Aim 5: Share established programs and infrastructure through a tri-state Regional Alliance of INBRE Networks (RAIN) with Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico to reduce redundancy, increase interdisciplinary research collaborations among faculty, and broaden research and education opportunities for students.

Idaho INBRE
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 885-5373
Ashley@uidaho.edu