Operational Research

Building operational research capacity in India for the policy change

Academy for Public Health (Academy) is a registered not-for-profit scientific organization headquartered in Calicut, Kerala State, India with a mission of providing public health solutions to everyone. Academy prioritises the health care needs of the poor and needy in collaboration with health institutions – both public and private.

Academy’s technical work focuses on three main pillars: (1) technical support to public health programs, (2) training/capacity building, and (3) operational research and health policy.

Structured Operational Research and Training IniTiative (SORT IT) / WHO-TDR
SORT IT/ WHO-TDR course jointly developed and run by Academy for Public Health, Kozhikode, Kerala, India; Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC), Thalassery, Kerala, India; and The Centre for Operational Research, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, France.

Purpose: To teach the practical skills for conducting and publishing operational research and to influence policy and practice

Approach: “combines training with implementation”
1. Product-oriented [a submitted research paper]
2. Modular approach [3 modules over 10-12 months]
3. Milestones must be achieved to continue in course
4. Targets must be achieved in order to keep the quality

To be a successful applicant
1. Should engage in programme keenly
2. Competent in English and computer knowledge
3. Should meet the educational qualifications fixed by the organization
4. Funding to carry out the research

Each participant uses a relevant research project to learn the practical skills of how to write a study protocol, how to ensure quality-assured data capture and analysis, how to publish in a peer-reviewed journal and how to use the study findings to foster evidence informed decision making in public health. Participants must achieve milestones to proceed further. Participants are supported with individual attention by the mentors.

Totally, 6-10 participants are eligible for the course. All the three modules will be completed which will be funded through scholarships by Academy for Public Health.

Module 1: Operational Research and Protocol Development
Module 2: Quality-assured Data entry; EpiData
Module 3: Data Analysis & Scientific paper writing

Application formalities:

Submit curriculum vitae with two references
Complete application form with a short summary about programme problem and research question (approx. 300 words)