“Implementation research is the scientific inquiry into questions concerning implementation—the act of carrying an intention into effect, which in health research can be policies, programmes, or individual practices (collectively called interventions)”
Peters et al. (2013)
Embedded implementation research is an approach in which research is carried out as an integrated and systematic part of decision-making and implementation processes.
This course is designed to orient health managers to the embedded implementation research process.
Overall objectives of the course
The course is designed to meet the following three objectives:
- Demonstrate the value of implementation research (IR) in solving real world implementation challenges;
- Provide guidance on identifying priority implementation challenges, deriving appropriate implementation research questions and undertaking implementation research; and
- Using the research to strengthen the health system.
Each module involves content that would take between 1-1.5 hours to complete. It is anticipated that the whole course would take around 5-7 hours. We recommend one module per week, but it can be done more quickly.
Each of the five modules has a knowledge check quiz, with the final module quiz including a set of additional summative questions to synthesize the learnings from the course. In total, the assessment questions add up to 100 possible points, and overall 80 points are required to pass.
The course was developed by the Nossal Institute at the University of Melbourne in Australia, drawing extensively on training materials developed by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO. The development of the course was overseen by Dr Kabir Sheikh. Dr. Meike Schleiff, Dr Marta Feletto and Mr Jeffrey Knezovich adapted the contents of the course for this online delivery format.
This course is free and open to anyone to access and complete.
In addition to this self-led online module, the Alliance has also developed course materials that can be delivered as a course delivered by a facilitator. This includes slides, facilitators notes and handouts. If you are interested in finding out more about this version of the course, please get in touch at alliancehpsr@who.int.
Features
- Introductory and summary videos
- Reading material
- Practical case studies
- Knowledge check quizzes
- Certificate of completion
Target audiences
- Individuals looking to embed implementation research within their health programmes at country level
- Staff at ministries of health
- Health programme managers
- Staff of other organizations partnering with implementers