Minutes (01-25-01)

1)	Background Marcia Ory and Lisa Klesges gave updates on the process of forming this group and its current objectives (see BCC website for mission and objectives). Funds are available from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to the Methodology & Data Analysis (M&DA) workgroup for hiring a statistical consultant to guide efforts in possible cross-site analyses. M&DA Group also aims to provide workshops and presentations on new analytic methods to BCC investigators; our first efforts being a presentation on "Pre-planned Meta-analyses" by Steve Belle at the morning session.
2)	Discussion Discussion of specific tasks and priorities of the M&DA group followed. In general, the group thought that meta-analytic methods used in REACH (presented by Steve Belle) had merit and should be considered for BCC projects. Preliminary work is necessary to identify potential for meta-analytic methods. Group outlined and discussed future tasks to be accomplished: Identify similarities across projects in constructs and measures (Note: this is a shared objective with Common Mediators group). Identify commonalities in study designs across projects that would include elements of outcome measurement. Identification of common aspects of theoretical models and intervention targets across BCC sites. Noted that not all sites may have commonalities in models or interventions but that inclusion should be maximized as much as possible. Identify common "intervention emphases or entities" across sites that may not correspond to targeted constructs per se. Explore potential for mediational analyses across sites. If a single model is not possible, we may need to consider series of analyses: tx to outcomes, tx to mediators, mediator to outcomes. While there was general agreement on these tasks, many concerns were voiced. These included: concerns for "watering down" theoretical constructs, and that this seems to conflict with initial goals of BCC; time needed to coordinate these activities and necessary buy-in from BCC investigators; concern that mediational analyses could even be conducted due to disparate measures, outcomes, and designs. Some solutions were discussed. If mediational analyses are not possible, we could breakdown into a series of analytic relationships: intervention with theorized mediators and mediators with outcomes. Common theoretical constructs are not our only consideration. Interventions could be scrutinized for "intended mediators" as well as stated constructs. Common "intervention entities or emphases" across sites might be feasible to identify. Judgements regarding the extent that intervention addresses these elements could be coded. Lead consultant and other consultants from M&DA (perhaps HER editors) with behavior theory background needed to assist in this task of generating common intervention "entities." We need an objective third-party to make suggestions to increase objectivity. Initial discussion of potential candidate entities were skill-building, self-efficacy, social support/connection, norms, fear appraisal/risk perception, and autonomy/intrinsic motivation and tailoring or interventions. Important to consider areas that have sufficient measurement capabilities to make analyses feasible (i.e., statistical power considerations).
3)	Future Plans Common Mediators and Transbehavior Group will be approached to discuss common activities with an eye to collaboration or merging the groups. THE MEDIATOR GROUP WILL MERGE WITH THE DATA GROUP Group needs to identify Chair or Co-Chairs (nominations should be sent to Marcia) CO-CHAIRS IDENTIFIED ARE LISA KLESGES AND CLAUDIO NIGG AND DR. STEFANSKI FROM NCI WILL BE APPROACHED (SUGGESTED BY MARCIA ORY) Lead consultant needs to be identified to serve as co-chair with BCC investigators.
N.B.	The above summary was prepared based on notes prepared by Christie King. We are tremendously grateful to Christie for her efforts, and apologize for an inaccuracies or omissions. The notes are available for viewing by clicking here. Ayone in attendance at the meeting who would like to make a revision to the minutes should contact either of the workgroup co-chairs.