OTRU responds to the knowledge needs and research/evaluation requests from Ontario’s transfer payment agencies—e.g. public health units, the seven Tobacco Control Area Networks (TCANs)—community partners and other stakeholders working on tobacco-related projects in Ontario.
Our Activities
We provide service to our stakeholders by:
- Responding to questions about general research and evaluation approaches (e.g., suggestions for evaluating innovative initiatives, narrowing research questions, design, sample, data collection methods)
- Reviewing and providing feedback on research plans and protocols
- Supporting development of data collection tools (e.g., survey questions, interview guides and focus group discussions)
- Conducting literature syntheses
- Assisting in data collection, analysis and interpretation
- Providing feedback on ethics protocols and applications
In addition to supporting individual Ontario Public Health Units and TCAN projects, we also help health units in identifying and facilitating collaborative opportunities, and provide other services related to research and evaluation support, such as:
- Reviewing and providing feedback on analyses and draft reports
- Providing brief literature searches when possible
Recent and Current Projects
OTRU is currently working on a number of requests from the Tobacco Control Area Networks. Some of the activities include:
- Help in the design of evaluation surveys for a cessation program and an assessment of agencies that are currently offering cessation services within a public health unit
- Guidance for the development of youth cessation focus groups
- Evaluation design support for a school connectedness program that promotes tobacco cessation
- Literature searches on the effectiveness of Action Weeks, Smoke-Free Grounds Policies
- Support for an evaluation of health practitioner cessation capacity-building campaign
Looking for Help?
OTRU receives requests through our Knowledge Exchange Advisory Group and the Evaluation Support Request Form. OTRU’s Evaluation Support Request Form is a brief survey that helps OTRU to better understand your research needs, and the scope and anticipated timelines of your project. Click here to get started.
What Happens When a Request for Support is Submitted?
OTRU evaluators will review your request for support and contact you for any additional information. OTRU staff determines if the request falls within our project mandate. The request is then prioritized, and assigned to a team member.
How Long does the Support Process Take?
Requests are reviewed as they are received and contact is made with the requesting organization within two weeks.
While OTRU tries to complete evaluation support requests in the quickest time possible, response time can vary.
- Brief requests can usually be completed within the week that they are assigned
- A moderate request can take up to two weeks to complete, depending upon review time
- Depending upon scope, a large request can take up to a month to complete
- Projects that require more than a month of OTRU time may be encouraged to apply for a grant for additional evaluation funds
