Culturally Competent Research Designs

GEARS always considers the roles of culture and context in analyzing a research or organizational problem and in the conceptualization of an evaluation or applied research project. Consequently, GEARS systematically integrates cultural principles in all phases of evaluation and research design, from selecting research methods and protocols to the reporting of research findings to others. The Ethnic Validity Model (EVM), developed by GEARS’ Vice-President, Dr. Deborah Brome, and her colleagues, provides the conceptual foundation for GEARS cultural research protocol and for investigating and analyzing the cultural characteristics of systems and of how these characteristics impact outcomes.