Review of Intervention Research - Agriculture Forestry and Fishing Research at NIOSH - page 98

The intervention-research aspects of the AFF Program's goals align well with
high-priority research subjects identified in the National Occupational Research
Agenda (NORA), including control technology and personal protective equipment
and intervention effectiveness in the category of research tools and approaches.
The research goals are general and do not include specific measurable objectives
or stated strategies for accomplishing the goals. NIOSH relies largely on NORA
and the peer-review process to ensure the relevance of funded intramural and ex-
tramural projects. However, the process lacks formal mechanisms for coordinating
research efforts in a scientific community that includes NIOSH scientists and engi-
neers and extramural investigators in the NIOSH Centers for Agricultural Disease
and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention (Ag Centers) and other research
institutions and centers. The current NORA-2 process for establishing the goals
and objectives of the AFF Program needs to ensure relevance. The current strategic
goals of the AFF sector defined under NORA-2 are in development. In addition,
the process through which the NORA sector councils are being developed needs
to ensure that emerging problems are identified through interaction and commu-
nication with stakeholders. It seems likely that the establishment of an AFF sector
in NORA will ensure that the research programs align with priorities established
through the NORA-2 development process.
LOGIC SUBMODEL
Information received from the NIOSH AFF Program (NIOSH, 2006a) re-
lated to inputs, activities, outputs, intermediate outcomes, and end outcomes in
intervention research is summarized in the intervention research logic submodel
(Figure 7-1).
INPUTS
Funding for intervention research has been provided through cooperative
agreements, extramural grants, and internal funding of specific projects.
ACTIVITIES
The major subprograms related to intervention research are listed in Table 7-1
with approximate dates and funding levels. The Ag Centers are listed as a whole,
because detailed project information was not available by individual center. The
activities are consistent with intervention research, which is an element of several
AFF Program goals, including those related to high-priority populations, chemical
exposure, hazard control, and outreach.