title: A qualitative study of a nutrition working group.
abstract: The Behavioral Change Consortium (BCC) Nutrition Workgroup (NWG) is a multidisciplinary collaboration of representatives from BCC sites and federal agencies. Its mission is to improve measurement of dietary variables. This article presents findings from a qualitative study of perceived effectiveness of the workgroup collaboration. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted and examined for common themes using the constant comparison method. Themes contributing to perceived effectiveness included: funding and additional resources; invested, committed, and collegial members; strong leadership, clearly articulated goals, and regular communication. Influences seen as reducing effectiveness were: distance, disparate nature of the studies, limited time, and problems associated with starting collaboration after the primary studies had begun data collection. NWG members felt that the workgroup would continue to be successful; however, there were concerns about responsibility for writing and authorship of manuscripts and the need for continued funding to ensure full participation and productivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Geoffrey W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Linda C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Nebeling
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Greaney
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: Cary K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hardwick
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Toobert
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Resnicow
authors.forename: Geoffrey C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Diane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goldman Sher
authors.forename: Holly A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Domas
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: DeFrancesco
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D035843:Biomedical Research; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000592:standards; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014481:United States