Information on Research and Academic Publication
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), through its Office of Research and Academic Publications (RAP), supports and facilitates research that advances knowledge, strengthens behavioral health and developmental disability services, and informs evidence-based policies and practices. RAP serves as the central point of coordination for research involving DBHDD data, programs, facilities, and services, providing guidance and oversight throughout the research process, from initial application and review through study implementation and publication. By fostering collaboration among internal and external researchers, academic institutions, and community partners, DBHDD seeks to promote scientific inquiry, generate meaningful findings, and share research that supports improved outcomes for the individuals and communities it serves.
Research vs. Quality Improvement (QI)
What Counts as Research?
As defined by the Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, 45 CFR 46.102 (The Common Rule), research is as any planned study (including testing and evaluation) that is done to find facts and create broad, useful knowledge that can be applied outside of the study itself.
45 CFR 164.501 also known as the HIPAA Privacy Rule, uses the same basic definition but focuses on protecting your private medical records and health history whenever a study uses or shares that information.
DBHDD defines research as a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.
- Systematic Investigation: an activity that involves a prospective plan that incorporates data collection, either quantitative or qualitative, and data analysis to answer a question.
- Generalizable Knowledge: investigations designed to generate new knowledge and expand the knowledge base of a scientific discipline or other scholarly field of study and yield one or both of the following:
- Results that are applicable to a larger population beyond the site of data collection or the specific subjects studied.
- Results that are intended to be used to develop, test, or support theories, principles, and statements of relationships, or to inform policy beyond the study or internal program.
Quality improvement (QI), on the other hand, uses existing research and proven practices to improve services and outcomes within a specific organization or setting. QI helps organizations evaluate how well existing practices work in real-world settings and identify changes needed to achieve better outcomes.
In simple terms: Research asks, “What can we learn that may benefit others?” QI asks, “How can we use what we already know to improve what we do?”
This useful table illustrates some of the key differences between research and (non-research) QI.
| RESEARCH | QUALITY IMPROVEMENT | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Test a formal hypothesis. Develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. | Assess and/or improve a process, system, or program within a particular institution. Focus on translating existing knowledge from research into clinical practice to improve the quality of health care for individuals and populations. |
| Starting Point | A prospectively designed, formal, written research hypothesis or research question. | An established set of standards. |
| Design | Systematic; generally follows a rigid or strict protocol that remains unchanged through the research. May involve randomization. | Typically, an adaptive, iterative design (i.e., PDSA cycle). Generally, does not involve randomization. |
| Effect on Program or Practice Evaluated | Findings are not intended to directly affect institutional or programmatic practice. | Findings are intended to directly affect institutional practice where the QI project is conducted. |
| Benefits | May or may not benefit directly; intended to benefit future patients. | Directly benefits a process, system, or program; may or may not benefit participants. |
| Risks | May place participants at risk. | Does not significantly increase risk to patients, except possible risks to privacy or confidentiality of data. |
| End Point | Answer research question. | Use existing knowledge to improve a process, system, or program. |
| Analysis | Statistically test a hypothesis. | Measuring outcomes after changes based on current evidence. |
*Adapted in part from "VCU Research vs. Quality Improvement Comparison and CHOP IRB: Is this Quality Improvement?"
Are you interested in conducting research using DBHDD datasets
“Thank you for your interest in partnering with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to conduct research. We appreciate your commitment to advancing knowledge and improving outcomes for individuals we serve. Collaborative research plays a vital role in helping DBHDD strengthen evidence-based practices, inform policy, and enhance the quality of behavioral health and developmental disability services across the state. We look forward to learning more about your proposed work and exploring opportunities for meaningful partnership that align with our mission and shared goals.
The Office of Research and Academic Publications (RAP) will support research applicants at every step of the research lifecycle.”
DBHDD recognizes two categories of research
Externally Initiated Research
- Externally initiated research is research proposed, designed, directed, or conducted by an individual or organization that is not acting on behalf of DBHDD. This category includes research led by investigators, students, interns, postdoctoral fellows, educational institutions, public or private agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other external entities.
- You can find the external research application here: External Research Application
DBHDD-initiated (Internal) research
- DBHDD-initiated research is research that DBHDD initiates, sponsors, directs, funds, or authorizes in furtherance of DBHDD’s mission, operations, programs, policy development, evaluation, or strategic priorities.
- You can find the internal research application here: Internal Research Application
- Please review DBHDD Policy 25-101: Research, Protection of Human Subjects, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) and 25-102: Submission, Approval, and Oversight of External Research Projects using DBHDD Datasets before completing your application.
Georgia’s Department of Public Health’s Institutional Review Board (IRB)
All research studies, no matter the category, will undergo a review by the Georgia Department of Public Health Institution Review Board (IRB)
The Department of Public Health (DPH) maintains an Institutional Review Board which is charged with assuring that the rights of human subjects of research conducted or sponsored by the Department are protected as outlined in federal and state policies and regulations. All research projects that involve human subjects must be submitted to the Board for review and approval prior to their initiation.
Human Subject: a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research:
- Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and uses, studies, or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or
- Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.
What the IRB Counts as Research?
- 45 CFR 46.102 (The Common Rule): Defines research as any planned study (including testing and evaluation) that is done to find facts and create broad, useful knowledge that can be applied outside of the study itself.
- 45 CFR 164.501 (The HIPAA Privacy Rule): Uses the same basic definition but focuses on protecting your private medical records and health history whenever a study uses or shares that information.