Translating Behavioral Science into Practice
Behavioral and social science research examines how people think, feel, and act individually and within groups. It helps us understand the drivers of human behavior, decision-making, relationships, and societal trends. From a translational science perspective, this type of research can be crucial to improving health outcomes and developing informed, evidence-based interventions across various fields.
The Behavioral Research Innovation & Support Program (BRISP), housed within the Michigan Center for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), is dedicated to advancing the quality and impact of behavioral and social science research. BRISP offers expert consultation, training, and resources to enhance methodological rigor and best practices in study design and implementation. The program serves both investigators new to behavioral research and experienced researchers.
“More and more people are integrating behavioral methods into their research and need direction about the best ways to use them,” says Mary Janevic, PhD, MPH, research associate professor of health behavior and health equity. “I recently consulted with an early career faculty member, and we were able to dive into both the specific behavioral methodologies that she was using in her proposal, as well as taking a step back and looking at her career trajectory and seeing how this could be part of building a research program.”
The MICHR website has a wide range of offerings designed to address persistent roadblocks in the translational research pipeline. Several resources are available through MICHR to help faculty at all experience levels as they incorporate behavioral research into their work. The NIH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) for Social and Behavioral Research eLearning Course, developed under the leadership of MICHR and BRISP faculty, helps investigators and clinical trial staff learn best practices to uphold research study rigor and protect human subjects’ rights, safety, and well-being. Presentations from the 2024 Advancing Behavioral Science through AI and Digital Health Conference offer insights into some of the latest uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in behavioral science. The Behavioral Research Innovation and Support Consultation provides a chance to connect with behavioral research experts for tailored guidance and connection to behavioral research resources.
One staff member who recently worked with the consultation service noted, “The team spends time digging down on finding the right person to chat with to get the right answers rather than just giving a quick response.”