IPH CAREs Unit FAQ
Q. What is the role of the Core for Applied Research and Evaluations (CAREs) Unit in the Institute for Population Health?
A. The CAREs Unit was created to meet an identified need for a centralized hub for applied research and evaluation within the Institute for Population Health. Its role is to lead and support the design, implementation and analysis of applied research and evaluation focused on population health and health equity. The CAREs Unit uses participatory methods to engage individuals with lived experience, community-based organizations, health systems and Creighton University partners to ensure that each initiative is relevant and responsive to stakeholder needs to create positive, sustainable change.
Q. What kind of research projects can you do?
A. The CAREs Unit collaborates with partners interested in research and evaluation in preventive medicine, population health and health equity. Our specialty is the design, conduct and analysis of mixed-methods projects that integrate quantitative and qualitative data to inform practice and policy.
Current funded projects include research and evaluation in the areas of: medical respite and recuperative programs for individuals experiencing homelessness; school-based mental health treatment access for rural youth; foster caregiver health education; peer support and psychoeducation for youth who have survived suicide attempts; outpatient clinic services for survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking; community health worker programs addressing social determinants of health; doula services supporting black maternal health; and a workforce training initiative to expand access to mental health treatment.
Q. What is the process for working on a project with a partner?
A. Partners interested in working with the CAREs Unit should begin by contacting Christopher Kaipust, PhD, MPH, CAREs Unit director, to schedule an introductory meeting to discuss the project and type of support needed. If the CAREs Unit is a good fit, next steps depend on the specific project but often include support with proposal or application development, project implementation, and/or data analysis, interpretation and translation of findings. Formal agreements, such as memorandums of understanding or contracts, are typically established to ensure alignment on scope of work, roles and expectations.
Q. Describe the value of mixed methods research and the kinds of projects that benefit from this approach.
A. Mixed methods approaches combine quantitative data (such as surveys, program metrics, electronic health records or claims data) with qualitative data (such as interviews, focus groups or documents) within the same project.
By comparing and integrating these different sources of information, we can identify where findings align, where they add context and where they differ. This leads to a more complete or meaningful understanding of the research or evaluation question. Projects that involve complex programs, community partnerships, healthcare or service delivery, or health equity initiatives often benefit most from a mixed-methods approach because it allows us to capture both outcomes and lived experience.
This approach helps tell the full story in a way that no single method can on its own.
Q. Why is research and evaluation important to our population health efforts at Creighton?
A. Research and evaluation are essential to understanding whether population health initiatives are being implemented as intended and whether they are making a meaningful difference. Research generates new knowledge that can inform practice and policy, while evaluation helps ensure that programs are being delivered effectively and achieving their intended goals.
Process evaluation examines how a program was delivered, what challenges occurred and how delivery can be improved. Outcome evaluation assesses the changes experienced by the participants, such as improvements in health or access to services. Impact evaluation examines whether a program led to meaningful change beyond the individual participants, including system-level or population-level effects, and uses appropriate methods to determine whether those changes can be attributed to the program.
Together, research and evaluation allow us to advance health justice by identifying and strengthening approaches that are participatory, evidence-based, effective and responsive to community needs.