This course is the first in a two-part scale development course series that introduces students to the systematic process of developing multi-item scale measures and survey instruments. Examples include measures of various social and psychological variables that might be assessed in health, medicine, journalism, or other related research areas. After a brief theoretical introduction to topics such as defining a construct and types of validity, we will turn to applied issues such as what is the optimal scale development process and how (and when) can you deviate from that process. We will also address practical issues around questionnaire design such as how to construct a “good” survey instrument that has a natural flow, minimizes participant burden, has appropriate response options and other common concerns in scale development and design. We will focus on real-life examples to demonstrate the scale development process. Although we will briefly discuss the kinds of quantitative techniques that are commonly used in the scale development process, this course will not cover the application of these methods. Quantitative methods for scale development will be covered in Part 2 of this course series.

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The OVCR leadership team invites the research community to the Spring 2025 edition of OVCR Office Hours, an open forum on research operations and administration that takes place once a semester.

What to Expect for the January Session:
- The Research Roadmap, our strategic plan for continued and growing excellence
- The conflict of interest program
- The federal landscape under the new administration
- The Translational Research Building

Speakers: Vice Chancellor Penny Gordon-Larsen, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor Andy Johns, and Director of the Office of Federal Affairs Kelly Dockham

There will be a dedicated Q&A session for participants to ask questions, and questions should be submitted in advance to ensure all are covered. You can submit questions during registration or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Jonathan A. Smith leads the interpretative phenomenological analysis research group (IPARG) and teaches qualitative methods at all levels. Jonathan developed IPA as a specific qualitative methodology to provide detailed examination of personal lived experience. He has applied it to address a wide range of research questions in health, for example in pain, clinical genetics, therapeutic interventions. IPA is now one of the best known qualitative methods and has been used by many researchers concerned with tackling issues involving personal lived experience. In the class, Jonathan will introduce IPA and describe its theoretical origins. He will give an example of IPA in practice from his own work and then take attendees through the steps in conducting an IPA research project: design, data collection, analysis, writing up. The class will include some practical exercises where possible.

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Optimizing Reproductive Wellness for Women with Chronic Conditions: Community Research Studios

People who participate in this webinar will be able to describe how to conduct an effective patient engagement in research studio; discuss strategies to support bi-directional conversations between researchers and patients; and describe challenges and opportunities for improving reproductive wellness for women living with chronic conditions.

Zoom information - Meeting ID: 999 2441 8595

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Advancing Rural Back Pain Outcomes Using Rehabilitation Telehealth (ARBOR Telehealth): Early Progress and Lessons Learned

This NIH Collaboratory Rethinking Clinical Trials Grand Rounds features:

Richard L. Skolasky, ScD
Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Kevin H. McLaughlin, DPT
Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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