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Flowchart: Steps in the development of a health systems research proposal

NB: Development of a research process is a cyclical process. The double-headed arrows indicate that the process is never linear.

Module 7: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In the previous modules, you:

• Selected a research topic;
• Prepared a brief description of the problem and its importance;
• Conducted a literature and information review to determine what was already known about the problem; and
• Developed objectives that clearly state the purpose of the study, what study results are expected, and how the results will be used.

Now you must decide exactly how you are going to achieve your stated objectives: i.e., what new data you need in order to shed light on the problem you have selected and how you are going to collect and process this data. The questions in the flow chart on the next page cover the major issues that must be examined as you develop your research design. These issues will be dealt with in Modules 8, 9, 1 0, 1 1, 1 2, 1 3 and 1 4.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Note:The steps are interrelated. The process is usually cyclical in nature. After completing a step, you should review previous steps to ensure consistency in your proposal.

Trainer’s Notes

Module 7: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Guidelines for trainers

• List and explain the components of a good research design as outlined in the module.
• Stress the cyclical nature of the different steps in designing the methodology.

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