Module 8
Research protocol development, critical appraisal of research publications and scientific writing
Training course in research methodology, research protocol development and scientific writing 2026
October 21, 2026 - Geneva
A. Required readings
Research protocol development
- Go over the presentation: How to develop a competitive research protocol - Raqibat Idris.
- Go over the document: Research Ethics Review Committee (ERC): Recommended format for a 'research protocol' by WHO.
- Study Chapter 5 ‘Writing the research protocol’ on pages 65 to 71 and Chapter 6 ‘Submitting a research proposal’ on pages 72 to 78 of the document: Fathalla MF, Fathalla MM. A practical guide for health researchers (WHO Regional Publications, Eastern Mediterranean. Series 30). WHO; 2004.
Critical appraisal of research publications and scientific writing
- Go over the presentation: Scientific Writing, AI and critical appraisal - Jane Hirst.
- Study the following sections of the document: Fathalla MF, Fathalla MM. A practical guide for health researchers (WHO Regional Publications, Eastern Mediterranean. Series 30). WHO; 2004.
- Sections 11.11 ‘Steps in the process of writing a paper’ and 11.12 ‘Revision of the manuscript for scientific content’ and 11.13 ‘Revision of the manuscript for style’ (pages 140 to 144)
- Sections 12.2 ‘How to get your paper published’ (pages 151 to 152), 12.5 ‘Sending the manuscript to the journal’ (page 155), 12.6 ‘After submitting the manuscript’ (page 154 to 156) and 12.7 ‘Authorship in scientific papers’ (page 156)
- Section 14.1 and 14.2 of Chapter 14 ‘Assessment and evaluation of research’ (pages 172 to 174).
B. Assignment
Complete and submit Module 8 assignment.
Relevant online resources
Critical appraisal
Research protocol
For protocol submission and tips and tools to help prepare a good study protocol
Databases for examples of study protocols
- PROSPERO
An international database containing protocols of systematic reviews with a health-related outcome. - JMIR Research Protocols
A unique Pubmed-indexed journal, that publishes peer-reviewed, openly accessible research ideas and grant proposals, study and trial protocols, reports of ongoing research, current methods and approaches, and preliminary results from pilot studies or formative research informing the design of medical and health-related research and technology innovations.
Scientific writing
- Journal / Author Name Estimator
An online tool to help choose journals for manuscript submission for publication.
Useful videos
- Part 1: Background, objectives, setting the eligibility criteria, selecting outcomes (Webinar, Cochrane Training, 2022)
- Part 2: Search, study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, analysis (Webinar, Cochrane Training, 2022)
- What is a literature review? (University of Liverpool Online Centre for Student Success, 2018)
- How do I summarise and paraphase? (University of Liverpool Online Centre for Student Success, 2018)
- The Art of Paraphrasing: Avoiding Plagiarism (University of Maryland, Baltimore Writing Center, 2017)
- Tips to Improve Your Academic Writing (University of Liverpool Online Centre for Student Success, 2019)
Critical appraisal
- 2. Systematic reviews and meta analysis (Cochrane Mental Health, 2019)
- 3. Randomised controlled trials (Cochrane Mental Health, 2019)
- 4. Cohort studies (Cochrane Mental Health, 2019)
- 5. Case control studies (Cochrane Mental Health, 2019)
- 6. Cross sectional studies (Cochrane Mental Health, 2019)
- 7. Diagnostic studies (Cochrane Mental Health, 2019)
Reference document