ABSTRACT
HIV/AIDS researchers do not have access to an up-to-date, web-based library of social and behavioral
measures that is curated, rigorously reviewed, and readily usable for studies. Selection of measures,
particularly when not in the researcher’s area of expertise; compilation of measures into assessment batteries;
and deployment, administration, and project management tasks are labor intensive and not integrated into
one software platform. The goal of the proposed project is to integrate the content of the Social and Behavioral
Instruments (SABI) database (created and managed by the Social and Behavioral Sciences Core of the UNC
Center for AIDS Research) into eTrove (developed by iRT), an integrated survey development, project
management, and learning management software platform. In Phase I, procedures for conducting the technical
reviews on SABI measures will be updated. More granular information about the demographic and background
characteristics of norming samples or research participants will be coded to inform the appropriate usage of
measures with developmentally and culturally diverse populations for future research studies. In addition, the
updated technical review procedures will include information about the accessibility of each measure for
completion by individuals with a disability. The SABI library of reviews will be added to eTrove to allow
researchers to not only locate appropriate measures for use in their studies, but to also compile several
measures into an assessment battery seamlessly allowing for rapid deployment and completion by participants
on a desktop or mobile device. Functionality will be added to eTrove to allow researchers to select and save
measures to a list of favorites for compilation into an assessment battery. The front-end web design and
enhanced software system functionality will be updated to be maximally useful to HIV/AIDS researchers and
their research team members. Once the prototype of the integrated SABI eTrove has been developed and alpha
tested, HIV/AIDS researchers (N = 5) will separately test the usability of the software in a One-to-One
Evaluation Study. After any software errors or usability problems are addressed, a Feasibility and Acceptability
Study will be conducted with a larger sample of HIV/AIDS researchers (n = 25) to pilot the full functionality of
SABI eTrove. Finally, we will conduct key informant interviews with stakeholder consultants to establish site
licensing procedures for the final product. Pending reaching benchmark outcomes in Phase 1, Phase 2 plans
include programming additional measures into the SABI eTrove system; developing online training for use of
SABI eTrove as well as for administration of complex measures to participants; adding advanced functionality
to eTrove such as participant randomization protocols; enhanced reporting features on recruitment and
participation rates for researchers; and fully evaluating the effectiveness of the SABI eTrove product for
facilitating the selection and use of valid and reliable behavioral and social science research measures.