Module 1 - Module 2 - Module 3 - Module 4 - Module 5 - Module 6 - Module 7 - Module 8
Training course in research methodology, research protocol development and scientific writing 2024
Course coordinators
Moazzam Ali (Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health & Research, World Health Organization)
Jane Hirst (Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford)
Karim Abawi (Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Collaborating partners: Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research (GFMER), Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute (OMPHI) and the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health & Research, World Health Organization (WHO)
The objective of this course is to provide knowledge and skills in research methodology, research protocol development and scientific writing to health professionals in sexual and reproductive health field. This course will enhance participants’ knowledge of research methodology and how to develop research protocols and improve their scientific writing.
This course is divided into four thematic areas:
Literature search and referral to biomedical documents
The aim of conducting a literature search is to identify the most relevant sources related to a study topic in order to provide evidence, give background information, place research into a theoretical context and inform readers about similar research on the topic. A literature review is crucial for the credibility of a scientific paper and serves as an update of professional knowledge in a particular field of expertise.
Referencing is a standard way of citing the sources of information you have used and ideas that are not your intellectual property. It is important to verify citation and to allow readers to follow-up certain topics in further detail and locate the cited author’s original work.
Epidemiologic studies
This section provides basic knowledge on different epidemiological studies used to conduct research projects. It includes methods for observational (analytic & descriptive) studies, such as cross sectional, cohort, case-control and experimental studies like randomized trials. This section includes both quantitative and qualitative methods for conducting research as well as various data collection methods.
Research protocol development
This section provides practical instructions on how to develop a research protocol according to the WHO recommended format.
Scientific writing
This section provides instruction on scientific writing, such as article, report, presentation based on academic criteria.
Introduction to the course
Course topics
Week 1. Introduction: Research topic selection, research question and research problem statement
Week 2. Types of research, effective literature search and citing biomedical documents and sources
- Epidemiologic studies
- Cohort studies
- Case-control studies
- Cross-sectional studies
- Randomized controlled trial
Week 4. Systematic review and implementation research
Week 5. Sampling (sample size and sampling technique) and quantitative data collection
- Sampling and sample size estimation
- How to determine the correct sample size of a research
- Quantitative data collection: Designing a questionnaire
Week 6. Qualitative study design
- Introduction to qualitative research
- Qualitative sampling techniques
- Qualitative data collection techniques
- Qualitative research approaches
Week 7. Research ethics and critical appraisal of research publication
Week 8. Research protocol development and scientific writing
Teaching-learning methods to be used in course
On each of the topic, the following items will be posted:
- A set of slides with accompanying talking points.
- Reference documents.
- Other audio-visual materials.
Teaching language
The teaching language of the course is English. Participants can develop their research protocols in English or French.
What is required of you?
For each module, participants must:
- Study the slides and talking points.
- Read all accompanying documents.
- Complete the short assignment / MCQs / interactive exercises, after going through the slide set and documents.
A personal coach will be assigned to each participant, whose role is to facilitate the course and serve as tutor.
Course validation and certificate
To validate the module and obtain the certificate, the participants are required to develop a research protocol relevant to their professional practice and under the guidance of their personal coach.
The successful participants will receive a certificate signed by the World Health Organization’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research/Human Reproduction Programme, Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute and the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Course duration: 8 weeks
Course fee: USD 250
Important dates
Start date: 4 September 2024
End date: 29 October 2024
Application deadline: 21 August 2024
Payment deadline: 28 August 2024
Application
To apply for the course, you should submit the completed application form and send the required enclosures by email to the course email address (researchmethodology@gfmer.org).
Click to access the Application form
Enclosures
Please send the following documents by email to the course email address.
- A curriculum vitae, including sections on current and previous positions.
- A letter of motivation stating clearly your interests and reasons for applying to the Course (1 page / 500 words maximum).
Course email: researchmethodology@gfmer.org.
Contact
Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Chemin de Beau-Soleil 12
1206 Geneva - Switzerland
Email: info@gfmer.org
Website: https://www.gfmer.ch/