scholarly journals Guidance and conceptual tools to inform the design, selection and evaluation of research capacity strengthening interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e005153
Author(s):  
Justin Pulford ◽  
Susie Crossman ◽  
Pierre Abomo ◽  
Jessica Amegee Quach ◽  
Sara Begg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Intervention Design ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Research Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Design Selection

This practice note presents four conceptual tools intended to support the design, selection and evaluation of research capacity strengthening (RCS) programmes in low-income and middle-income country settings. The tools may be used by a wide range of RCS stakeholders, including funders, implementing parties and programme evaluators, to guide decision-making in lieu of largely as yet unavailable empirical evidence. The first conceptual tool guides decision-making regarding RCS intervention design, focusing specifically on the combination and integration of potential intervention activities. The second conceptual tool provides a framework for assessing the implementation challenges of potential RCS interventions in terms of: (1) the overall cost of implementing the proposed intervention in a given context; (2) the length of time required to complete full implementation of the proposed intervention in a given context and (3) the level of control the implementing partners would have over the proposed intervention in a given context. The third conceptual tool provides a means to consider the anticipated impact of potential RCS interventions in order to inform selection decisions (ie, which out of a number of potential RCS intervention options may be most impactful in a given setting given the intervention design and implementation challenges). The fourth and final tool is designed to support the evaluation of a collective RCS effort, whether that be multiple RCS interventions delivered within the context of a single or continuous programme or multiple RCS programmes delivered in a common setting.

scholarly journals Advancing the science of health research capacity strengthening in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review of the published literature, 2000–2016

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e018718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Dean ◽  
Stefanie Gregorius ◽  
Imelda Bates ◽  
Justin Pulford
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Research Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Programme Planning

ObjectivesSubstantial development assistance and research funding are invested in health research capacity strengthening (HRCS) interventions in low-income and middle-income countries, yet the effectiveness, impact and value for money of these investments are not well understood. A major constraint to evidence-informed HRCS intervention has been the disparate nature of the research effort to date. This review aims to map and critically analyse the existing HRCS effort to better understand the level, type, cohesion and conceptual sophistication of the current evidence base. The overall goal of this article is to advance the development of a unified, implementation-focused HRCS science.MethodsWe used a scoping review methodology to identify peer-reviewed HRCS literature within the following databases: PubMed, Global Health and Scopus. HRCS publications available in English between the period 2000 and 2016 were included. 1195 articles were retrieved of which 172 met the final inclusion criteria. A priori thematic analysis of all included articles was completed. Content analysis of identified HRCS definitions was conducted.ResultsThe number of HRCS publications increased exponentially between 2000 and 2016. Most publications during this period were perspective, opinion or commentary pieces; however, original research publications were the primary publication type since 2013. Twenty-five different definitions of research capacity strengthening were identified, of which three aligned with current HRCS guidelines.ConclusionsThe review findings indicate that an HRCS research field with a focus on implementation science is emerging, although the conceptual and empirical bases are not yet sufficiently advanced to effectively inform HRCS programme planning. Consolidating an HRCS implementation science therefore presents as a viable option that may accelerate the development of a useful evidence base to inform HRCS programme planning. Identifying an agreed operational definition of HRCS, standardising HRCS-related terminology, developing a needs-based HRCS-specific research agenda and synthesising currently available evidence may be useful first steps.

Towards diaspora-driven research capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: results from India and Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varshini Varadaraj ◽  
Anju Ranjit ◽  
Joseph Nwadiuko ◽  
Joseph Canner ◽  
Marie Diener-West ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Capacity ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Research Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Research Capacity Strengthening in American Samoa: Fa’avaeina le Fa’atelega o le Tomai Sa’ili’ili i Amerika Samoa

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 525-547
Author(s):  
Va’atausili Tofaeono ◽  
Lana Sue I Ka’opua ◽  
Angela Sy ◽  
Tyran Terada ◽  
Rachelann Taliloa-Vai Purcell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Research Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Context Specific

Abstract Capacity-building partnerships are central to the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the UN’s blueprint for achieving global health equity. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues endorses the SDG and underscores the need for global partnerships that respect local leadership and culture. Innovations that weave or integrate Indigenous and Western knowledges are emphasised. These recommendations guided the INdigenous Samoan Partnership to Initiate Research Excellence (INSPIRE). INSPIRE is led by investigators from American Samoa and supported by US co-investigators. In project year one, INSPIRE queried: What weaving approaches are feasible for promoting community access to INSPIRE’s research hub and for training Indigenous researchers? Weaving procedures involved interlacing Samoan and Western knowledges. Cultural tailoring strategies were used to customise communications. Formative evaluation suggests the feasibility of INSPIRE’s efforts. Evidential tailoring provided information on American Samoa (A.S.) social determinants of health; trainees indicated increased research commitment. Linguistic and sociocultural relevance tailoring were positively received; trainees reported increased interest in research praxis and initiated an A.S. research capacity-strengthening model. Social work assured knowledge parity in development/delivery of the training curriculum and culturally safe discussions on social determinants of health, territorial status and Samoan survivance. Findings are context-specific yet offer considerations for capacity-strengthening partnerships seeking to advance health equity.

scholarly journals An intersectional gender analysis of familial and socio-cultural drivers of inequitable scientific career progression of researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Millicent L. Liani ◽  
Isaac K. Nyamongo ◽  
Justin Pulford ◽  
Rachel Tolhurst
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Gender Analysis ◽  
Scientific Career ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Research Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suffers from a dearth of concrete information on the causes of women’s under-representation in scientific research workforce particularly at higher levels compared with the wealth of information that exists in the global north. The goal of this study was to illuminate familial and socio-cultural drivers that contribute to intersectional gender inequities in scientific career progression in SSA to inform strategies that could promote career equity for African scientific researchers. Methods This study was nested within the context of ‘Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa’ (DELTAS Africa)—a health-based scientific research capacity strengthening initiative. It adopted an exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study design. In-depth interviews were conducted among 58 (32 Female and 26 Male) trainees/research fellows at various career stages, affiliated to three purposively selected African Research Consortia. The interviews were conducted between May and December 2018 in English. The data were analysed inductively based on emergent themes. Results The study participants were nationals of thirteen SSA countries. More female than male participants had young children. Four themes were identified. They illustrate women’s and men’s characterisation of the normative career pathway and progression requirements which calls for significant ‘time’ commitments (theme 1), and how social power relations of gender within the family and wider society shapes their participation in scientific research activities (theme 2). This culminates in researchers'' differential experiences of navigating between the ‘two different lives’—family and career, and the resultant implications for their career progression and personal well-being (theme 3). Women researchers made different and conscious trade-offs for navigating the ‘two different lives’ by utilising various metaphors such as the ‘biological clock and career clock’, the ‘glass ball and rubber ball’, and the concept of ‘sacrifice’ (theme 4). Conclusions This study is the first of its kind to demonstrate how intersectional gender analysis through use of qualitative research methods may provide novel insights into the hidden familial and socio-cultural drivers of gender inequitable scientific research career progression. It offers important policy and practice measures and approaches for fostering career equity for women and men scientists within research capacity strengthening initiatives in SSA.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document