Research Resources
Mobile Clinic Research Readiness Assessment
Research readiness means that a mobile healthcare program has a clear purpose, enough operational capacity, usable data, appropriate safeguards, and partners who can complete the work responsibly.
This assessment will help you identify what is already in place and what needs attention before a study begins. It is a planning tool. It does not determine whether a project is human-subjects research, exempt from review, or ready for Institutional Review Board approval. It is not a validated research instrument, and its scores are planning guidance rather than certification.
How to use the assessment
Score each statement against current practice. Section and total scores update as you go, and the guidance below the score reflects where you land. A lower score is useful because it shows where preparation will have the greatest effect.
Scores are calculated in your browser. Nothing is sent to GMHRC, and nothing is saved except in this browser so you can come back to a part-finished assessment.
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Not yet. We have not addressed this. |
| 1 | In progress. We have started, but important work remains. |
| 2 | In place. We can show how this is currently addressed. |
0 to 12
Build the foundation
You may have an important question, but the program needs additional preparation before committing to a study. Start by defining the decision the research should support, naming an internal project lead, and involving community partners.
13 to 24
Prepare the partnership
Several foundations are in place. Focus on the lowest-scoring sections. Document current data practices, estimate staff effort, identify missing expertise, and discuss governance before finalizing a research design.
25 to 31
Ready with specific conditions
Your program has many of the elements needed for a responsible partnership. Resolve remaining gaps in staffing, data quality, privacy, IRB planning, recruitment, or dissemination before the project begins.
32 to 36
Strong foundation for research planning
Your program appears well positioned to develop a study with an appropriate research and community team. The next step is a feasibility review and a formal determination of all regulatory and institutional requirements.
Turn your results into an action plan
Once you have scored every statement, the result above names your two lowest sections. Complete these prompts for each of them.
- The most important gap is
- The person responsible for addressing it is
- The support or decision we need is
- We will complete this step by
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Does a high score mean we do not need IRB review?
No. This assessment measures organizational preparation. An authorized IRB or institutional official should determine whether a project is research involving human subjects and what review is required.
Do we need perfect data before speaking with a researcher?
No. Early conversations can help identify data gaps and feasible study designs. Be open about what is collected, how consistently it is recorded, and what cannot currently be measured.
Can a small mobile program conduct meaningful research?
Yes. A useful project can focus on feasibility, implementation, patient experience, access, or a carefully defined local outcome. The design should fit the number of patients, available data, staff capacity, and intended use of the findings.
What should we do first?
Start with the decision you need to make. A clear, useful question is more important than choosing a study design at the beginning.
Authoritative resources
Research should strengthen the people and programs involved.
The best research does more than produce a paper. It helps mobile healthcare programs improve care, helps communities answer questions that matter to them, and gives funders and policymakers credible evidence for action.