# Abstract #### Specific Application Quantitative measures developed to determine the level of community engagement in research projects, a critical factor in improving community health outcomes. The 32-item REST allows for comparisons of partner engagement across studies and within studies over time. Use of the condensed (9-item) REST will reduce participant burden and time to complete when using the comprehensive tool is not possible. #### Primary Source for This Method Goodman, M. (2021). *Rest - Research Engagement Survey Tool*. Measurement Learning Evaluation Lab. Retrieved September 28, 2021, from [https://wp.nyu.edu/collegeofglobalpublichealth-goodman_mle_lab/rest/](https://wp.nyu.edu/collegeofglobalpublichealth-goodman_mle_lab/rest/). #### URE Questions Addressed 1. What impact does engaging research partners have on the research itself? 2. To what extent are community members engaged in the research process? 3. To what extent do community members in research partnerships *feel* engaged in the research process? 4. What is the criteria for the selection and measurement of outcomes that the population of interest cares about and that can inform decision making about the research topic? #### Instrument Origins Consulting existing literature in which quantitative measures are limited and no gold standard measure exists, the research team developed survey items addressing a list of best practices in community engagement in research. The original survey was validated through a modified Delphi process, and then further validation through mixed methods studies resulted in a condensed format of the tool. #### Range of Application Researchers can use these methods to determine how involved partners are in a study and compare their level of involvement between studies or within a study over time. #### Target Respondents Patients, families, and other community members that are part of a research team in stakeholder-engaged research efforts. #### Number and Format of Items The research engagement survey tool (REST) has two versions: a comprehensive comprising 32 items (previously 48), and a condensed or short-form “SF” version of the survey comprising 9 items to be used to reduce partner burden. #### Scales/Domains and Subscales/Subdomains The survey frames its questions around 8 engagement practices (EPs) for community engaged research (CER) that have been established by current literature on the subject. These EPs were modified from an original list of 11 practices: 1. Focus on community perspectives and determinants of health 2. Partner input is vital 3. Partnership sustainability to meet goals and objectives 4. Foster co-learning, capacity building, and co-benefit for all > partners 5. Build on strengths and resources within the community or patient > population 6. Facilitate collaborative, equitable partnerships 7. Involve all partners in the dissemination process 8. Build and maintain trust in the partnership Participants respond to the items on two 1-5 Likert scales, one that addresses quality (Poor to Excellent) and one that addresses quantity (Never to Always). #### Administration Mode Web survey. #### Analytic Methods Two scoring approaches are used. The first aligns with engagement practices (EPs) and is scored by taking the mean of the 3-5 items for each EP to get EP-specific scores and then taking the overall mean of the EP means to get an overall score. Two Likert scales are used to measure both quantity and quality. The second approach aligns with the continuum of engagement developed and modified during the Delphi process, based on the percentage of item responses that are aligned with each of 5 categories: 1. Outreach and education; 2. Consultation; 3. Cooperation; 4. Collaboration; 5. Partnership. Scoring instructions and analytic code for the condensed assessment are located here: #### Guidance for Using, Adapting, or Modifying This Protocol Researchers are welcome to use the REST in their projects. Feel free to adapt or modify to work as appropriate but note that validation statistics only hold for the measure when used as developed. #### Author Contact For more information about the REST please visit the website: [https://wp.nyu.edu/collegeofglobalpublichealth-goodman_mle_lab/rest/](https://wp.nyu.edu/collegeofglobalpublichealth-goodman_mle_lab/rest/). Additional information can be obtained by contacting Melody Goodman at [melody.goodman@nyu.edu](mailto:melody.goodman@nyu.edu) #### Funding This study is supported through a [Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Award (ME-1511-33027)](https://www.pcori.org/research-results/2016/creating-survey-community-engagement-research). All statements in this report, including its findings and conclusions, are solely the authors’ and do not necessarily represent the views of PCORI, its Board of Governors, or its Methodology Committee.