HEDIR, for Health Educators

Participating in Research Requests

Have you been asked to participate in a research study?

How many of us have been asked to participate in a research study, or a survey? Maybe a more pertinent question is, “How many of us, when asked to participate in a research study, have taken the time to respond? Another question may be, “As we completed research projects, did we use surveys and hoped that individuals would respond?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I try to respond to these requests from my colleagues as well as responding to individuals who are potentially going to enter the health education profession. I feel that there were those in the field who helped me as I was conducting my doctoral research, as well as other research I have conducted over the years, so this is one way I can “give back” to the profession. In responding to requests from graduate students, my thought process is that if I, as a long-practicing health educator don’t respond to this survey from someone who may well be “taking my place” in the profession (remember, there are a lot of us grey haired individuals in the profession), who is likely to provide information to the individual who is asking for my participation? I do not respond to every request to complete a survey, but I do try to respond to those that come from “my” profession. I would think that participation in these types of requests is very important in that I have the perspective of a health educator, not a carpenter (not that carpenters don’t have good perspective). I really don’t want that “carpenter’s responses” to shape what may be an important health education concept. On the other hand, if I am trying to get communities involved in my research, the perspective of that carpenter is extremely important, as are the perspectives of other members of the community. In the latter case I will do what I can to ensure that I have an adequate community sample size and adequate representation, such that I can make some comments related to the generalizability of the research I am conducting.

As we prepare new health educators, I hope each of us will take the time to reflect about those who helped us move forward in our profession. I would hope that we would take the time needed to respond to the requests for information from our peers, as well as those individuals who want to enter our wonderful profession. This is one way we can “give back.” Hopefully by doing this, we will become “role models” for the very individuals who are requesting our participation.

I don’t know about you, but I certainly will participate in the next survey that is sent to me by one of my professional colleagues.

Have a great weekend.

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