What is “outcome-based research”?

What is “outcome-based research”? • Goal-oriented project planning (GOPP) • Logic Model for Program Development • Logical sequence of events • Blueprint for plan of action • ID’s outcomes, outputs and activities to achieve goals • Start at the end: work back, to identify steps necessary to achieve outcomes and how best to make it happen

Citrus Health Science and Technology Coordination Committee December 2-4, 2009, D.C. • 2 members each from CA, TX, FL • Representing science and policy • 2 members each from APHIS, ARS, NIFA • Representing entomology and pathology • Industry led development of desired outcomes • Requested a meeting; key researchers participated to develop plan(March 2010, Beltsville) • Urgency of problem Citrus Health Research Forum

The good ole’ days… Universities supported faculty members’ research: every man/woman for him/herself! ARS scientists didn’t have to apply for grants: competition with university faculty Scientists could pursue their field of expertise for the sake of doing great science! “Solutions looking for a problem” Then the money got tight, and we have one of the most urgent problems facing agriculture.

The way it is now… • Faculty support their universities; follow the money! • ARS scientists need grants to conduct research; partnering • Research to solve problems directly • Problems looking for solutions • This is NOT business as usual • DESIRED OUTCOME is starting point!

Current State of HLB/ACP Research • Citrus Research efforts are fragmented • No mechanism for coordinating citrus researchers’ work toward clear outcomes • No mechanism for building on research results & learning from one another • Limited research dollars are not optimized for maximum impact

Citrus Health S&T Coordinating Group • Oversee of entire portfolio of research activities • Collectively identify and communicate research gaps • Encourage innovative approaches • Help identify opportunities for collaboration • Provide input to develop RFPs for private/public sources • Sponsor an annual research symposium • Provide fiscal coordination to ensure the best use of limited funds • Link research to growers’, extension and APHIS program needs • Facilitate communication among and between groups

Questions the Citrus Health S&T Coordinating Group Considered • What are the program outcomes the citrus industry want to achieve? • What research outputs (products or deliverables) are needed to support the achievement of these program outcomes? • Next step intended for this group: organize and prioritize the research activities

Desired Outcomes • Outcome 1 - Keep groves HLB productive • The disease has become established (Florida) • Outcome 2 - Slow/Stop spread of HLB; • The vector is present, no disease established (Texas) • Outcome 3 - Keep citrus trees free of HLB and ACP • Neither disease nor vector has become established (California).

Establishment of outcome-based research groups: March 16-17, 2010: • Outcome 1: Keep groves with ACP & HLB productive • Co-chairs: Deb Fravel, Mike Irey • Participants: Calvin Arnold, Jackie Burns, Ed Civerolo, AbhayaDandekar, Wayne Dixon, Tim Gottwald, Dan Gunter, Kevin Hackett, Mike Irey, Ariena van Bruggen, Mary Palm (to be invited), Kitty Cardwell (not present) • Outcome 2: Slow/Stop spread of HLB • Co-chairs: Kris Godfrey, MamaduSatamou. • Participants: John Adamczyk, Jo-Ann Bentz Blanco, Susan Halbert, David Hall, Bob Mangan, Rick Meyer, MaryLou Polek, Ray Prewett, Michael Rogers, Donald Seaver • Outcome 3: Keep citrus trees free of HLB and ACP • Co-chairs: Ed Stover, Gloria Moore • Participants: Ted Batkin, Bill Belknap, Lynn Garrett, Charla Hollingsworth, Jack Okamuro, Ralph Scorza, Scott White, Gail Wisler, Bruce Carey (not present)

LOGIC MODEL CONCEPT Outcomes Outputs Activities The end products or deliverables of the projects that contribute to the achievement of the Outcomes The desired short-term and long-term improvements Individual research activities that transform inputs ($, people, material resources) into Outputs • Integrates various program activities into a cohesive whole • Is a vehicle for dialogue, planning, program management and evaluation • Provides a blueprint for the plan of action

Outcome 1:Keep Groves with ACP & HLB productive OUTPUTS: • More efficient scouting of symptomatic trees • Detection of pre-symptoms of HLB • Therapeutic (prophylactic) technologies • Horticultural Approaches

Outcome2: Slow/No spread of HLB OUTPUTS • Knowledge of ACP behavior/Liberibacter interaction with ACP • Psyllid Detection • Mitigation of new introductions of ACP • Area-wide management of established ACP infestations

Outcome 3:Citrus groves/trees free of HLB & ACP OUTPUTS: • Disease resistant/tolerant trees • Prophylactic treatments to prevent infection or ACP infestation of the tree • Change the production system of tree physiology

Benefits of the Logic Model Approach • Identifies what is important to stakeholders re: desired outcomes • Greater emphasis on outcomes and accountability • Links research activities to associated outputs to support outcomes • Provides tool to integrate and coordinate public & private research activities • Increases the efficiency and effectiveness of research deliverables • Provides a mechanism to identify research gaps and priorities among researchers • Identifies and communicates goals and strategies for R&D program areas • Integrates and coordinates support functions and program You Are Here

“The time spent developing a logic model should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense. Given the public’s expectations for performance…can ill afford not to use logic models as a tool for program planning. “ Glenn D. Israel, UF/IFAS AEC 360. August 2007. http://edis.ifas.edu

Program Rationale:A multi-faceted approach When working together and pursuing common research agenda, small achievements can yield significant advances Each effort yields small advances Overlaps exist across outcome groups Combined efforts yield significant results

What is “outcome-based research”?