title: A role delineation study of health educators in the United States: methodological innovations.
abstract: This paper focuses on methodological innovations used in the National Health Educator Competencies Update Project (CUP) in the United States. The CUP was a six-year research study designed to delineate the role of the health educator in the USA. Individuals who self-identified as health educators were included in the study. To provide context, the background for the research is presented, followed by a brief overview of the research process. Some of the key methodological innovations discussed are: selecting a representative sample when the total population of those working as health educators was not easily identified or readily accessible; assessing response methodology preferences through pilot studies; enhancing the response rate through accurate, up-to-date mailing lists and incentives; and exploring new approaches to large-scale data analyses. Insights gained are included for other researchers who may wish to undertake similar studies or draw from the CUP dataset for secondary analyses.
authors.affiliation: New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Alyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taub
authors.forename: Larry K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Gary D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Connell
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D011361:Professional Competence; D024382:Professional Role; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce