title: Issues for interpreting external stakeholder feedback on restructuring NCIC's research programs.
abstract: The National Cancer Institute of Canada surveyed members of its stakeholder groups on a number of issues pertaining to restructuring research programs. While it was hoped that the survey would ensure input from its primary stakeholder groups and thereby facilitate decision-making on critical issues like distribution of funds and research awards, there is reason to believe this may not have occurred. Some of the stakeholder groups seemed to be over-represented in the respondent population and the effect of this on the results was therefore examined. Analysis revealed several important issues: 1) a clear definition of who constitutes a "stakeholder" needs to be developed when stakeholder input-gathering is being contemplated; 2) multi-faceted strategies need to be developed to gain input from stakeholders; 3) potential sources of bias can emerge from the various techniques used to gather feedback from stakeholders; and 4) a clear outline of how the feedback is to be used in the decision-making process needs to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation, NCIC, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Ashbury
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Iverson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Shephard
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015982:Bias; D002170:Canada; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014341:Trustees