COMPASS - Monitoring and Evaluation System for Promoting and Advancing Responsible Research in Biomedical Sciences

The monitoring and evaluation concept, presented here, outlines the rationale, scope, and approach of COMPASS, the monitoring and evaluation system of QUEST Center for Responsible Research at the Berlin Institute of Health, the translational unit of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.

QUEST Center has developed an evidence-based intervention programme structured around a Research–Practice–Policy framework. The programme generates evidence on systemic gaps in biomedical knowledge production, translates this evidence into support measures across six programme areas, and uses research findings and validated implementation approaches to inform policy development.

To support programme steering, accountability, and organisational learning, QUEST’s internal Monitoring and Evaluation Unit established the monitoring & evaluation system COMPASS. The system assesses target-group reach, acceptance, quality and usefulness of measures, knowledge and skill development, and the adoption of programme-relevant quality-centred research and governance practices.

Combining routine monitoring with formative evaluation, COMPASS draws on behavioural, organisational, institutional, practice-oriented, and technology-acceptance theories to examine how, why, and under what conditions programme effects occur. Its findings support organisational learning, transparent communication, and evidence-informed improvement of QUEST Center's interventions at Charité and beyond.