Three Steps to Successful Operational Research
Developed and run by the Union and MSF since 2009, the Structured Operational Research Training Initiative “SORT-IT” is today supported and coordinated by TDR – the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases of the World Health Organization.
The training combines mentorship by experienced researchers with a hands-on ‘learning by doing’ approach. Each course consists of three one-week modules that are usually held over a period of 9 months:
- Module 1 is dedicated to designing a study’s operational research question and to developing and validating the research protocol.
- Module 2 is focusing on data collection, management, and analysis. Participants prepare the tools to source or collect the necessary study data in their countries, ensure the correct set-up of their database and practice data analysis.
- Module 3 is reserved for writing up the research findings, and publishing the paper with a peer-reviewed journal. This last part of the course takes place several months after Module 1 and 2. Participants return from their programmes with the collected and analyzed data to present research findings and recommendations and submit the study for publication.