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Training course in research methodology, research protocol development and scientific writing 2023

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

Week 3. Epidemiologic studies

Week 4. Systematic review and implementation research

Week 5. Sampling (sample size and sampling technique) and quantitative data collection

Week 6. Qualitative study design

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:

  1. A set of slides with accompanying talking points.
  2. Reference documents.
  3. 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: 6 September 2023

End date: 31 October 2023

Application deadline: 23 August 2023

Payment deadline: 30 August 2023

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/