Abstract
The need for research-informed programming and policy making is well established. However, there is limited evidence that, when researchers actively promote utilization of research findings, stakeholders use such findings for decision making in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). A common barrier for research uptake in LMIC is that researchers focus on passive dissemination of final findings as the primary vehicle to affect research uptake. A more active approach to facilitating research utilization (RU) is necessary. Project SOAR, a six-year USAID-funded operations research project, recognized this gap and developed an approach to include the end data users in the research process from inception to final results dissemination. In this commentary, we make recommendations for active facilitation of research uptake using emerging lessons from SOAR’s RU process that focuses on ongoing engagement of stakeholders throughout the life of the study.
Highlights
Introduction and PurposeThe need for research results to strengthen programming and policy making is well established [1]
Project SOAR (Supporting Operational AIDS Research), a 6 year United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded research project with over 60 activities in 21 countries, adopted a systematic research utilization (RU) approach equipped with a RU guide and tools [6] and a full-time
S215 stage; the lessons we present mainly represent RU experiences from study inception to data interpretation of preliminary findings with a limited number of final study findings
Summary
The need for research results to strengthen programming and policy making is well established [1]. SOAR’s RU process begins with the identification and engagement of stakeholders who provide input into study design to ensure that researchers design studies that answer questions relevant to local programs and policies It continues with engaging stakeholders during the implementation of the study, the analysis of data, and the planning to translate findings into action, all supported by standardized RU guidance. In February 2017, SOAR conducted a CS workshop for in-country researchers collaborating on studies in 12 countries, and each researcher was joined by a study stakeholder from a governmental or nongovernmental institution responsible for program or policy implementation [22] Following this workshop, SOAR advertised a competitive small grants initiative, out of which nine successful applicants received grants (up to $10,000) to apply the skills they learned in secondary data analysis, results utilization, and knowledge translation. In another KT grant investigators translated a HIV disclosure intervention for young people, proven efficacious in a SOAR study [27] in Uganda, to the control community used for the study
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