Expanding Our Dissemination Options

Your likelihood of being effective in meeting your dissemination goals may rest upon your ability to simultaneously manage a variety of dissemination options. We readily recognize that the audiences we target to use our grant-related information is highly varied. Too often, however, our selection of dissemination strategies is made as if this diversity does not exist.

University-based researchers continue to value the publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals. Within the university setting this type of publication is most easily rewarded and recognized by the peer group. The NCDDR recognizes great value in this type of documentation and publication of research-related information attendant to NIDRR grant activities. This issue of The Research Exchange looks at some issues related to journal article publication and suggests some considerations and resources that may assist grantees in this effort.

While publication in scholarly journals is important, it is also important for grantees to consider publication options within the disability and mainstream media outlets. How to develop the best press releases and how to "package" research-related information in formats such as press kits is addressed in this issue.

Information collected by the NCDDR tends to indicate that the overall number of journal article publications and media "stories" based on or alluding to NIDRR grant activity is increasing. These are very positive indications of the increasing attention to dissemination and utilization outcomes on the part of NIDRR’s grantees. The use of electronic forms of distribution such as World Wide Web sites are increasing, to include approximately 80 percent of all NIDRR’s grantees.

If it is true that the key to effective dissemination rests in the variety of appropriate options we use to communicate with diverse audiences, the trends demonstrated by NIDRR grantees indicate significant progress. As we move together toward a new millennium, the NCDDR staff look forward to working with grantees to meet the challenge of new and expanded dissemination options, innovations, and expectations.

John D. Westbrook, Ph.D.
Director, NCDDR

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