# Research Methods Core

> **NIH NIH P60** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $232,280

## Abstract

RESEARCH METHODS CORE ABSTRACT
The Native Center for Alcohol Research and Education (NCARE) Research Methods Core is devoted to
optimizing alcohol use disorder research in American Indian and Alaska Native populations (AI/AN). Successful
alcohol intervention studies require designs with measurable, achievable objectives; adequate funding and
efficient resource allocation; culturally appropriate implementation; and regular evaluation. In Native
communities, such work requires a rich evidence base informed by state-of-the-art science and grounded in the
day-to-day experience and culture of AI/AN people. The goals of this Core are to maximize efficient use of study
resources by standardizing measurement and data analysis across all 3 Research Projects; to optimize internal
and external study validity; and to ensure the relevance of inferential analyses for healthcare providers,
policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders working to ameliorate AUD-related disparities for
AI/ANs. Core members will work closely with the Principal Investigator and research teams on all aspects of
study design, sample selection, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and dissemination of findings. Our
transdisciplinary approach integrates diverse methods from epidemiology and causal inference theory,
biostatistics, medicine, clinical trials, health services, policy, and health economics. We augment this expertise
with exceptional experience in qualitative methods. Our Specific Aims are to: 1) Apply state-of-the-art research
designs and sampling strategies to the study of AUD disparities in AI/ANs. This work includes ensuring the
reliability and validity of all study measures, efficiently using NCARE resources to manualize operations,
designing effective questionnaires and data collection methods, managing data, conducting statistical analyses,
integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, and preparing data for dissemination to scientific and lay
audiences; 2) Provide support and mentoring in research methods to recipients of Pilot Project funding and to
NCARE Fellows, with the latter group’s research occurring within a structured career development program; and
3) Perform systematic health economics evaluations of the proposed Research Projects, focusing on the short-
and long-term cost-effectiveness of alcohol use disorder-related health interventions. This Core will maximize
scientific rigor while accommodating the logistical and methodological challenges that arise in real-world
research endeavors. Our experienced team can facilitate the simplest possible analysis to answer each
Research Project’s scientific questions, but it can also apply complex designs and analytic tools as appropriate,
and will communicate results to audiences with varying levels of quantitative training. Our analysts complement
their methodological expertise with a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges of health research
with Native communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10310683
- **Project number:** 5P60AA026112-05
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN M SCHWARTZ
- **Activity code:** P60 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $232,280
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-15 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10310683

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10310683, Research Methods Core (5P60AA026112-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10310683. Licensed CC0.

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