Objectives and Research Strategy

A key operational principle is to be scientifically selective in requests and commitments for research funding. The IBR scientific strategy is organized around conceptual frameworks synthesized from existing knowledge as evidenced by both the TCU Treatment Process and Outcome Model as well as the TCU Program Change Model.

These two frameworks help staff visualize the foundations of our treatment and organizational research protocols, identify emerging issues that deserve attention, and integrate new findings with existing knowledge. Implementing innovations developed from field-based studies depends heavily upon partnerships with treatment systems and honoring commitments to address their needs.

The ability to provide useful and meaningful feedback to researchers, funding agencies, and policy-makers is a vitally important element of science. In particular, scientific publications are strategically planned, integrated with other studies from relevant literature, and structured to effectively communicate salient findings.

Finally, products developed from funded research (i.e., intervention manuals, assessments, presentations, and integrative summaries) are made available without cost to treatment
providers, interested researchers, and the general public. IBR researchers believe that dissemination and sustained implementation of science- supported innovations deserve as much attention as discovery.