Lessons from the field. Engaging parent researchers: Pilot study collecting behavior change data in a family‐community education program

Abstract Objective The purpose of this project is to engage parent researchers in piloting a data collection process to measure program impact. Specifically, in this Lessons from the Field article, we outline the process of combining characteristics of evaluation and action research methodologies to involve attendees of Parent University (Parent U) as researchers in designing and implementing this pilot study. Background Measuring the impact of family‐school‐community programs is challenging due to the numerous contextual factors that influence these programs and the families they serve. Parent U is a nonprofit parenting education program that has served Savannah, Georgia, for over 25 years. Based on previously collected focus group data, we worked with Parent U to research an appropriate outcome measure. Experience We outline the process of engaging parent researchers in program evaluation, including brainstorming, parent recruitment, survey design, ethics training, and data collection, illustrating how parent perspectives informed the resulting design. Initial survey data from two parent participant cohorts ( N = 31 each) are presented. Challenges, successes, and lessons within the process are included. Conclusion Data collected by parent researchers demonstrated good reliability for our survey measures, positive correlations between measures, and preliminary evidence of perceived change over time. We reflect on the meaning of the impact data collected and the contextual outcomes related to family‐school‐community programming.