This course will be offered via Zoom, over two mornings (4/7/2025 & 4/9/2025).

This course introduces participants to discrete choice models. These econometric models are used to explain how people choose between discrete outcomes, such as mode of travel to work or type of treatment for pain. The course will cover the subset of discrete choice models known as random utility models, namely the multinomial logit and nested logit. These models are often used in disciplines such as economics, transportation, and public health. No prior knowledge of discrete choice modeling is expected. Hands-on exercises will be conducted in Python.

Why Take This Course?
Random utility models are used across many disciplines. They allow one to use regression techniques to model choices between multiple outcomes, something not possible with many other models. Unlike many other models of discrete outcomes, random utility models are interpretable—it is easy to see which predictor variables are associated with which choices. Random utility models are also consistent with rational economic theory, meaning that properly specified estimates can be interpreted as willingness-to-pay and transformed into dollar amounts to understand the welfare impacts of policy. This course will prepare participants both to estimate these models and to interpret and evaluate them when encountered in practice.

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Engagement in Research Nuts & Bolts: Specific Approaches for Engaging Patient & Community Partners in Research

There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to engaging patient, community, or other partners in your research. Rather, there are a variety of engagement methods to suit your study's needs, your research team's capacity, and your partners' interests.

This online training will describe three common approaches for working with patient, community, and other partners in your research: 1) consultative community feedback sessions; 2) advisory boards; and 3) sustained collaboration with partners as members of the research team.

The session will cover considerations for choosing these specific engagement methods, as well as concrete processes and steps for implementing each approach. Participation in our Engagement in Research 101 training is not required to attend this session; however, some knowledge of engagement, whether from prior training(s) or personal experience, may foster deeper understanding of the material in this session.

Please note: This event may be recorded. Materials such as slides or handouts will be shared with documented attendees only. Attendance may be determined through Zoom meeting attendance reports.

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Engaging Patient, Community, and Other Partners in Your Research is a multi-part online training series. You may register for the entire series OR any single training session.

Part 1 will focus on the basics of research engagement, providing an overview of patient and community engagement and its benefits, debunking common myths and misconceptions, and providing considerations and next steps for incorporating engagement approaches into your research.

Part 2 will cover specific engagement methods, including consultative community feedback sessions, advisory boards, and working with patient and community partners as members of a research team.

Part 3 will focus on the nuances of building and maintaining partnerships, outlining best practices for developing and strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships and discussing common partnership challenges and solutions.

This training series was developed collaboratively with patient, community, and researcher partners and is co-sponsored by the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and NC TraCS Institute.

This session will introduce the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) goals, funding mechanisms, and strategies for preparing a competitive proposal to PCORI.

Presenter
Michael Kappelman, MD, MPH
Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, UNC School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Director, Patient and Community Engagement in Research (PaCER) Program, NC TraCS Institute

Facilitators
Susan Pusek, DRSc
Director of Education Programs, NC TraCS Institute

Paige Gray, MPH
Research Project Manager, NC TraCS Institute

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