SECTION IV RESEARCH
Estimated time for Delivery: 160 hours
It is estimated that over $858 million is spent each year nationally on drug, alcohol, and mental health research. Given the overlap among those areas, the support for research focusing primarily on alcohol and drugs, is at least 30% of the total. This, in turns, generates a wealth of new information on a myriad of questions, ranging from physiological affects of specific drugs to the efficacy of various approaches to treatment and prevention.
GOAL
Participants will learn research techniques and current knowledge in epidemiology, genetics, pharmacology, social theories, psychology, toxicology, treatment outcome.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this section, participants will acquire:
1) knowledge of current literature
2) exposure to ongoing research in the training center
3) methods for conducting an independent research projectObjective 1. Provide knowledge of current literature.
A. Through weekly seminars conducted over the training period, each participant will become familiar with the major medical journals and professional scientific organization dealing with research on the understanding and treatment of substance abuse.
CONTENT
Trainer will provide:
1. an overview on the current status of research;
2. a short tutorial on the software tools of research, e.g. SPSSB. Each participant will develop a critical approach to the Psychiatric Research Literature through weekly discussions with peers and faculty.
Objective 2. Provide exposure to ongoing research in substance abuse treatment and related fields.
A. The monthly lectures series, Divisional Grand Rounds, featuring visiting speakers of national prominence is available to training participants.
B. Training participants also have the opportunity to participate in the variety of continuing medical education programs conducted in conjunction with the Medical Center.
C. Additional learning opportunities are available for participants through the training program's involvement with national and scientific organizations in the addiction field.
Objective 3. Provide opportunity for participants to conduct an independent research project.
A. Each participant conducts an independent research project which is submitted for publication prior to completion of the program. Work on this project begins in the first year and is supported by close faculty supervision throughout, including instruction in research methodology and techniques of data analysis.
B. Each participant will be responsible for planning and implementation of research study, data entry, statistical analysis and preparation of manuscript to be submitted for publication.
C. Participants attend a course, given in one-hour sessions over 8 weeks, conducted by faculty in introductory statistics, data entry, statistical analysis, and evaluation of instruments used to study outcome. Weekly supervision during phase of statistical analysis and preparation of written manuscript.
CONTENT
Using handouts and overheads, will reviews strengths and weaknesses of various survey methods used to assess substance use and dependence in the United States:
1. The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (Household Survey)
2. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)
3. The Drug Use Forecasting Program (DUF)
4. The National High School Senior Survey--Monitoring the Future (High School Survey)
EXERCISEA. Trainees will critique empirical studies on homelessness and dual diagnosis;
B. Trainees will critique empirical studies on homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse;
C. Trainees will research a specific project and prepare an oral presentation using a Questionnaire for Crack and Sexual Behavior.
SELECTED READINGSVaillant GE: A 20-yr follow-up of New York narcotic addicts, Arch Gen Psychiatry 29:237-41, 1983.
Jones E: Using dBase III Plus, Berkeley CA : Osborne Mc Graw-Hill, 1987.
Shaugnessy, JJ & Zechmeister, EB: Research Methods in Psychology, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1990.
Norusis MJ: SPSS for Windows: Base System User's Guide, Release 6.0. Chicago IL: SPSS, Inc. 1993.
