Research and Evaluation
We have unparalleled staff expertise, thought leadership, and experience in public health and health care research and evaluations.
We specialize in engaging underserved and hard-to-reach populations throughout the project lifecycle.
We develop tailored reports, presentations, and briefs to get evidence-based solutions to the right audiences.
Problems in today’s health services landscape demand new knowledge. We face an array of established and emerging threats to the health of our nation, including issues of access and equity. Generating evidence-based knowledge and assessing the value and worth of programs are vital activities to ensure that health solutions are effective, evidence-based, and reach individuals and communities throughout the U.S.
Research Study on Factors Affecting HIV Prevention and Care Among Transgender Women
Client: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlas Research is conducting a mixed-methods study to better understand the barriers and facilitators to HIV prevention, care, and treatment among transgender women in three U.S. cities. We conducted qualitative interviews, incorporated complementary quantitative data from a demographic questionnaire (to identify nuances), and then analyzed all the data to produce common themes. Study findings and resulting publications will provide crucial information to ensure that future HIV prevention, care, and treatment efforts successfully reach and engage transgender women throughout the care continuum.
We use proven and innovative measurement, data collection, and analysis methodologies to answer key questions, generate new knowledge, and assess the outcomes, value, or success of a project or program. We have versatile analysts and leaders with expertise in qualitative research (e.g., interviews, focus groups), quantitative research (e.g., surveys, outcome measurement), and mixed-method approaches. Most importantly, we translate research and evaluation findings into lessons learned and actionable strategies.
Qualitative Research
We believe that people—our clients, their partners, and the populations they serve—hold the key to answering our thorniest health problems. Qualitative research, including semi-structured and in-depth interviews, focus groups, document review, survey design and analysis, and observation, is a core competency at Atlas and allows for obtaining detailed, nuanced, and contextual information from these stakeholders. We conduct all aspects of the research, including study design, protocol development, participant recruitment and follow-up, data collection, and data analysis using state-of-the-art qualitative research software (e.g., NVivo).
Quantitative Research
In an era of data abundance, we make sense of the profusion of health data, sifting out the trends and results that matter. Our staff have extensive experience in quantitative research throughout the lifecycle—from study design, instrument development and testing, and sampling plan construction, to data collection and management, to development of multivariate and multilevel models for analysis.
Mixed-Methods
Knowledge can be found in both data and discussions. We develop research and evaluation plans that incorporate qualitative research (e.g., interviews, focus groups) and quantitative research (e.g., surveys, outcome measurement, program data analysis) into a mixed-methods design to provide a richer result than a single method alone.
Systematic Reviews and Environmental Scans
To capture the current state of research, discover challenges and gaps, and summarize stakeholder priorities, we conduct targeted environmental scans that include peer-reviewed and gray literature as well as key informant interviews. We also conduct numerous systematic reviews, in collaboration with subject matter experts, to answer research questions using a structured and thorough methodology.
Measurement Studies
Appropriately measuring a concept or construct is of utmost importance in research and evaluation and to the health care field more broadly. We identify measurement gaps; develop, train on, and monitor measures; and evaluate usage to provide critical information for research and evaluation studies.
Knowledge Translation and Implementation Science
Knowledge generated from research and evaluation is useless unless it reaches an audience that can respond to it. Our versatile analysts and leaders have direct expertise in knowledge translation. We develop tailored reports, presentations, briefs, infographics, and other materials to facilitate knowledge transfer and engage audiences. We work directly with frontline health care staff to consider data and evidence to inform project implementation.