Mapping

Objective. Some of the most promising medical treatments are currently being developed and used in clinical trials. In the US, rates of chronic disease among racial/ethnic minorities are disproportionately high. Unfortunately, the rates of minority participation in medical research are low, and the reasons are unclear. This study seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge that is currently available relating to the specific barriers to racial/ ethnic minority participation in medical research through the conceptualization and measurement of these barriers. Design. Study participants included a convenience sample obtained from the National Cancer Institute’s Special Populations Networks, and consisted of practitioners, researchers and community members who specialize in research related to the treatment and prevention of cancer. A structured form of concept mapping (Trochim 1989) was the methodology used in this study. The concept mapping process has three specific phases: (1) project planning*development of project focus statements and sample selection (2) idea generation and structuring and (3) analysis and interpretation. This method is analogous to a more formalized and structured focus group approach, and involved th