Measuring the Human Side of Cancer Research

The UNM Cancer Center’s BMPS Shared Resource helps investigators to rigorously integrate human context into their studies.

A Broader View

Human behavior can seem unpredictable. Several factors influence seemingly simple tasks like taking medications, getting screened for cancer and deciding to join a clinical trial. Investigators may know some of the human factors that affect their research area, but understanding the extent of these effects and all of the factors that sway behavior requires more than intuition.

The Behavioral Measurement and Population Science (BMPS) shared resource enables researchers to rigorously study the human dimensions of their research areas, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

“Recruitment and data collection are really our bread and butter,” says Dolores Guest, PhD, RD, faculty director of the BMPS shared resource. And, she says, BMPS can help investigators to study screening, care delivery and survivorship; BMPS can recruit and collect data from people who are not experiencing cancer or who are not actively undergoing cancer treatment.

"We're not restricted to the clinic," Guest says. "We're community-facing."

BMPS is the only group within the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center that offers qualitative data collection and analysis, making it an important partner for studies in cancer prevention, survivorship, care delivery, and intervention evaluation.

Flexible, Nimble, Collaborative

Principal investigators bring the content expertise, Guest says. The principal investigator defines the study questions to ask, and BMPS serves as methodology experts. BMPS learns about the study topic from the principal investigator and then helps create or support the necessary methods and processes to collect the data, recruit participants, track responses, or meet other study aims.

Sometimes data collection requires quantitative approaches, sometimes it requires qualitative approaches, and often it requires both. When appropriate, BMPS works with the Biostatistics shared resource to ensure that the study data is collected in the best way for later analysis.

Beyond data collection, BMPS supports investigators with their grant submissions and manuscripts. BMPS can provide letters of support for grant submissions and can be included in grant budgets for later work. After the work is completed, BMPS can collaborate on manuscript writing to ensure that methods are presented clearly and accurately. BMPS can also help identify opportunities for dissemination presentations.

Designing Studies and Instruments

BMPS works side by side with investigators to design studies that capture the data they need. The shared resource then selects questionnaires that capture that data: they identify validated questionnaires from their library or from published literature or they develop new questionnaires when none exist.

The team uses validated questionnaires for self-scoring measures like fatigue, quality of life or other health measures. If new questions are required for a particular study, BMPS uses a technique called cognitive interviewing to refine questions and ensure clarity across literacy levels. If a questionnaire is proprietary, BMPS manages the licensing for it.

“We don’t just execute tasks — we collaborate with investigators to figure out the best way to approach their research questions,” Guest says.

Recruiting Participants and Collecting Data

Recruiting participants to studies rarely goes as planned. BMPS designs recruitment strategies, monitors recruitment progress and troubleshoots challenges. For qualitative work, BMPS creates interview and focus group guides — which are a structured yet flexible series of prompts — to ensure consistency while allowing natural conversation. When studies require behavioral interventions, BMPS can provide motivational interviewing, a specialized technique that supports decision-making without coercion.

Managing and Analyzing Data

BMPS builds HIPAA-compliant REDCap databases to track participants, administer surveys, and embed scoring logic for real-time results. For multi-site studies, BMPS configures REDCap to protect site-specific data while enabling centralized oversight.

For qualitative analysis, BMPS uses Dedoose and NVivo to code transcripts, identify themes, and extract insights. BMPS collaborates closely with the Biostatistics shared resource to ensure clean data architecture for later analysis.

Training and Dissemination

BMPS offers training for study staff in informed consent, qualitative interviewing, and REDCap use. The shared resource often uses role-playing exercises to help staff build confidence for real-world interactions.

BMPS in Action

BMPS works with many different groups. Within the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, the shared resource has worked extensively with members of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship program, the Clinical Research Office, the Cancer Control and Population Science research group, and the Cancer Therapeutics Research group. The projects below describe the ways in which BMPS has contributed to different types of studies.

Patient Understanding of Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy

Developed by Bernard Tawfik, MD, this mixed-methods study measures how well breast cancer patients understand prescribed medications and their associated risks. BMPS conducted cognitive interviews to refine survey questions, and then followed up with participants to explore how conversations with their clinician(s) shaped their comprehension. The qualitative insights explained patterns in the quantitative data, strengthening the study’s conclusions.

Cancer Survivorship Cohort Feasibility

Led by Marianne Berwick, PhD, BMPS conducted focus groups with recently diagnosed patients to learn what they understand about cohort studies, what would motivate them to participate in one, and what activities they would be willing to complete — or samples they would be willing to give — as part of a cohort study. These findings will guide strategies to recruit and retain participants for future longitudinal research.

Four Corners for Health Study

This multi-site cancer prevention study involves all of the NCI designated cancer centers in the Four Corners states. Andrew Sussman, PhD, MCRP, leads the study as a Multiple Principal Investigator. The study focuses on young adults in rural settings and their attitudes and behaviors regarding cancer screening. BMPS supports the study’s investigators in coordinating their outreach and data collection, and it supports Dr. Sussman in leading the study’s community engagement subcommittee. BMPS facilitates regular meetings of the two 16-member advisory boards and supports the members with administrative tasks to ensure consistent input from rural communities.

Meet the BMPS Team

BMPS team members bring individual expertise but cross-train with each other so that they work collaboratively within the team and bring several insights to each project.

Contact BMPS

BMPS does more than collect data; it ensures data integrity, methodological rigor, and human context. By embedding with study teams, BMPS helps investigators to design stronger studies, secure funding and produce findings that reflect real-world experiences. And, BMPS can also help all along the research continuum from design through analysis and manuscript preparation.

Guest encourages investigators to contact the BMPS shared resource as early as possible in the investigation. Sooner is better, she says, because the data collection and analysis must be considered when creating the study design for the investigation.

To schedule an initial consultation, email Dolores Guest, PhD, or Ellen Burgess, MPH.