JMIR Formative Research

Scope

JMIR Formative Research (JFR) publishes peer-reviewed, openly accessible research papers containing results from process evaluations, feasibility/pilot studies and other kinds of formative research and preliminary results. While the original focus was on the design of medical- and health-related research and technology innovations, JFR publishes studies from all areas of medical and health research. Formative research is research that occurs before a program is designed and implemented, or while a program is being conducted. Formative research can help: -define and understand populations in need of an intervention or public health program create programs that are specific to the needs of those populations- ensure programs are acceptable and feasible to users before launching- improve the relationship between users and agencies/research groups- demonstrate the feasibility, use, satisfaction with, or problems with a program before large-scale summative evaluation (looking at health outcomes)