title: Results from the Data & Democracy initiative to enhance community-based organization data and research capacity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In an era of community-based participatory research and increased expectations for evidence-based practice, we evaluated an initiative designed to increase community-based organizations' data and research capacity through a 3-day train-the-trainer course on community health assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  We employed a mixed method pre-post course evaluation design. Various data sources collected from 171 participants captured individual and organizational characteristics and pre-post course self-efficacy on 19 core skills, as well as behavior change 1 year later among a subsample of participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before the course, participants reported limited previous experience with data and low self-efficacy in basic research skills. Immediately after the course, participants demonstrated statistically significant increases in data and research self-efficacy. The subsample reported application of community assessment skills to their work and increased use of data 1 year later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that an intensive, short-term training program can achieve large immediate gains in data and research self-efficacy in community-based organization staff. In addition, they demonstrate initial evidence of longer-term behavior change related to use of data and research skills to support their community work.
authors.affiliation: Community Alliance for Research and Engagement, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. amy.carroll-scott@yale.edu
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carroll-Scott
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toy
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wyn
authors.forename: Jazmin I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Zane
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D011361:Professional Competence; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D000078329:Workforce