Can a culturally responsive model for research design bring us closer to addressing participation disparities? Lessons learned from cancer survivorship studies.

INTRODUCTION: Health disparities research demands the inclusion of traditionally excluded peoples. Additional complex issues weigh into health disparities or multicultural research including sociopolitical context, cultural context, network or community context, and micro-level or personal dimensions. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: This paper will present a work in progress based on psycho-oncology research: A Culturally Responsive Model for Research Design. The manuscript will describe the model's governing principles and practices employed to address these study components: 1) purpose of the research; (2) utilization of modified or new conceptual framework and operationalization; (3) methods and procedures; (4) participant and data safety and monitoring; (5) reliable and valid instrumentation; (6) drawing valid conclusions; (7) dissemination of findings; and (8) staff training. This paper will define these issues and present the guiding principles modeled to conduct culturally responsive research and increase research integrity. DISCUSSION: Cancer control research is an important part of the stated commitment to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality and to increase health-related quality of life. Ethnic minorities are overrepresented in cancer burden, yet underrepresented in research. This paper is part of a movement to articulate practical models for designing culturally responsive, multicultural research. The model may have implications for increasing ethnic minority participation in research.