JMIR Formative Research

Process evaluations, early results, and feasibility/pilot studies of digital and non-digital interventions

Editor-in-Chief:

Amaryllis Mavragani, PhD, Scientific Editor at JMIR Publications, Canada

Impact Factor 2.1 More information about Impact Factor CiteScore 3.5 More information about CiteScore

JMIR Formative Research (JFR, ISSN 2561-326X) publishes peer-reviewed, openly accessible 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, JMIR Formative Research 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)

Many funding agencies will expect some sort of pilot/feasibility/process evaluation before funding a larger study such as a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).

Formative research should be an integral part of developing or adapting programs and should be used while the program is ongoing to help refine and improve program activities. Thus, formative evaluation can and should also occur in the form of a process evaluation alongside a summative evaluation such as an RCT.

JMIR Formative Research fills an important gap in the academic journals landscape, as it publishes sound and peer-reviewed formative research that is critical for investigators to apply for further funding, but that is usually not published in outcomes-focused medical journals aiming for impact and generalizability.

Summative evaluations of programs and apps/software that have undergone a thorough formative evaluation before launch have a better chance to be published in high-impact flagship journals; thus, we encourage authors to submit - as a first step - their formative evaluations in JMIR Formative Research (and their evaluation protocols to JMIR Research Protocols).

JMIR Formative Research is indexed in MEDLINE, PubMed, PubMed Central, DOAJ, Scopus, Sherpa/Romeo, EBSCO/EBSCO Essentials, and the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI).

JMIR Formative Research received a Journal Impact Factor of 2.1 according to the latest release of the Journal Citation Reports from Clarivate, 2025.

With a CiteScore of 3.5 (2024) JMIR Formative Research is a Q2 journal in the field of Medicine (miscellaneous), according to Scopus data.

Recent Articles

Person wearing red sneakers with white electronic ankle monitoring devices

Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

Wearable Sensor–Derived Gait Parameters Across Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis and Healthy Controls: Pilot Cross-Sectional Validation Study

Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) offer scalable, objective gait assessment, but detailed stride-level validation against motion capture and their ability to reflect physical activity (PA)–related gait differences in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remain incompletely characterized.

Senior doctor in white coat using tablet in examination room

Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

Clinical Evaluation of the Clinical Reasoning Process of Large Language Models in Nephrology: Comparative Evaluation Study

This study evaluates the dynamic clinical reasoning of 4 leading large language models in complex nephrology cases, demonstrating that while Gemini 2.5 Pro achieved the highest reasoning scores and computational efficiency, all tested models excelled at static data synthesis but shared vulnerabilities in formulating nuanced differential diagnoses and in prospective clinical planning.

Person using a blood glucose meter to check blood sugar levels.

Pilot studies (ehealth)

Feasibility of Technology-Assisted Lifestyle Self-Monitoring in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Type 2 diabetes is a major public health concern in older adults. Healthy lifestyles, such as physical activity and healthy eating, are effective strategies for diabetes self-management. Increasing evidence shows that health technologies can promote healthy lifestyles for diabetes management. However, limited research has evaluated their use among older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Doctor using futuristic holographic display to examine lung anatomy

Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

Implementation of an e-Tool (the Provider Asthma Assessment Form) Integrated Into the Electronic Medical Record in Primary Care: Mixed Methods Survey of Perceived Utility, Practitioner Satisfaction, Barriers and Enablers

Asthma care gaps between best practice and clinical practice contribute to the burden of asthma on individuals and society. Electronic medical records (EMRs) provide a unique opportunity to integrate novel e-tools at the point of care.

Close-up of dried cannabis buds with orange pistils and green leaves

Early Results in Infodemiology and Infoveillance

Surveillance of Cannabis Strains Using Online Data: Observational Study

The flower strains of cannabis are an important attribute that determines product appeal and health impacts. However, there is a lack of surveillance of cannabis strains as the marketplace expands in response to the growing legalization of recreational and medical cannabis.

Woman uses a virtual coach app on her phone to help quit smoking.

Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

Use of the Dynamic Systems Development Method to Inform Technology-Assisted Motivational Interviewing (TAMI) for Tobacco Cessation: Qualitative Study

Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, and more than 480,000 Americans die annually due to smoking-related illness attributable to smoking and secondhand smoke. More advanced, responsive, and tailored digital interventions using machine learning and artificial intelligence may be a valuable tool for successful smoking cessation referrals.

Woman using a phone app to track PrEP medication adherence in June 2021.

Pilot studies (ehealth)

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence and HIV Self-Testing App Among Women in the South Bronx: 12-Month Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility Study

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is underused by cis- and transgender women despite a significant HIV burden. Smartphone technologies are promising tools to support HIV prevention but have yet to be assessed in women.

Older man in white shirt working on laptop on couch

Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

Preliminary Evaluation of a Large Language Model–Powered Chatbot for Osteoporosis Self-Management Education: Formative Randomized Controlled Trial

With the increasing burden of chronic diseases, self-management education (SME) is crucial. Traditional SME based on face-to-face delivery by clinicians is resource-intensive, and general digital tools such as web-based platforms often provide limited interactivity for patient learning. Although chatbots based on large language models (LLMs) show promise in interactivity, their real-world effectiveness lacks empirical evidence.

Healthcare worker interviews a woman in a clinic, with a mountain view.

Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

Adaptation of a Smartphone-Based Mobile Health Program to Support Person-Centered Treatment of Tuberculosis in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Preimplementation Qualitative Needs Assessment

Despite increasing smartphone penetration worldwide, personalized mHealth (mobile health) care interventions remain largely untapped for the support of people with tuberculosis. An evidence-based multifeature smartphone platform for HIV care tailored and widely implemented in the United States may enhance treatment quality and completion in the Kilimanjaro context.

Two women carry large black basins of water on their heads in a rural African setting.

Formative Evaluation of Non-Ehealth Innovations

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Fecal-Oral Disease Prevention and Social Acceptability of Compost Latrines in Nyamugo Health Area, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Mixed Methods Formative Study

Fecal-oral diseases remain a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where sanitation infrastructure is limited and cultural barriers hinder improved practices. Compost latrines are promoted as ecological solutions, but their acceptability is uncertain.

Woman using ChulaCancer Support app on a smartphone for cancer information

Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of the ChulaCancer Mobile Chatbot for Supportive Care of Patients With Breast or Colorectal Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Chemotherapy-related toxicities often lead to unscheduled health care use and diminished quality of life. Digital health interventions, such as chatbots, offer a scalable solution for supportive care; however, evidence regarding their effectiveness in resource-limited, low- and middle-income settings remains limited.