Data Analysis & Think Tank
Think tank
Fundamental to the success of the LVCHA was to develop Transformative Communication Spaces (TCS) in which to learn and grow our partnership (Hebert-Beirne, . For the Community Health Survey component, the LVCHA Community Health Survey Think Tank was developed to facilitate the shared interpretation of the meaning of the survey findings (see below). TCS with students, faculty and community stakeholders, are designed to facilitate identity formation as co-leaders in participatory research among diverse partner types – faculty, graduate students, community members and representatives of community based organizations. TCS strengthen the ability of CBPR efforts to impact change, influencing not only participating individuals, but ultimately the systems (in the academy and in the community) from which the partners come.
Members of the LVCHA volunteered to serve on the CHS Think Tank. Below is a description developed of the activities. The Quantitative Data Analysis Think Tank served as the space in which all the data analysis decisions are made. This includes everything from data cleaning to data reduction to hypothesis generation. Perspectives from community members who administered the surveys are gathered using qualitative debriefing sessions to help guide data analysis and allow for deeper insight. For example, community members give input on aspects of the data collection itself that might influence answers, i.e., what subtopics of the survey were most difficult or most interesting to respondents and the meaning of the large number of neutral responses to the Likert scale items. Biostatistics masters-level students volunteered to assist with the analysis, piloting a unique field-based experience for these students. Within this Think Tank, decisions are also made on knowledge generation strategies, deciding how, where and when to disseminate findings revealed and to what audiences.
Description: The Think Tank is comprised of a balance of students (and former students), faculty, community members/representatives. Members have roles consistent with their interests /goals/availability. Members make decisions on data cleaning, analysis and identification and prioritization of research questions/ hypotheses. TT Members also advise on how to disseminate the findings and what next steps we should take with the survey.
Purpose: The purpose of the TT is to drive the analysis of the Community Health Survey. Because the LVCHA uses a participatory research approach it is important that all stakeholder types engage in each stage of the research. The analysis of data is typically a stage that researchers retreat to their computers. We need community member participation. Community members input on how to combine questions on the survey and how to interpret the meaning of findings are critical.
Timeframe and Accommodations: Think Tank members planned to meet monthly since October 2015. The location of meetings rotate taking place at community partner organizations and at UIC. Current and former students, supervised by UIC faculty engaged in the data analysis as advised by the TT members. Students present the data at each meeting. The community members and Community Data Collectors advise the group how to look at and understand the findings.
Community Data Collector Qualitative Debriefing Sessions
In order to capitalize and retain the knowledge and experiences of community data collectors, Qualitative Debrief Sessions (QDS) were organized. The QDS were debriefing sessions held between a bilingual graduate student from UIC SPH, with a longtime commitment to the LVCHA, andtwo community data collectors (CDC)s. The CDCs werefrom the community partner that gathered the majority of the community health surveys. These meetings were held between February 2016 through March 2016. There were a total of 4 QDS with 2 CDCs. Both CDCs were present for the first and last QDS. One QDS was held with each CDC individually for a total of 4 QDS. Each QDS lasted between 45 minutes to an hour.
