Abstract
Assessing the research output within the universities could provide an effective means for tracking the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) progress. This analytical database study was designed to assess the trend of research theses conducted by the Public Health Department (PHD), Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University during the period 1990 to 2014 as related to the: MDGS, Faculty and department research priority plans and to identify the discrepancies between researchers’ priorities versus national and international research priorities. A manual search of the theses was done at the Postgraduate Library using a specially designed checklist to chart adherence of each thesis to: MDGs, Faculty and department research plans (RPs). The theses’ profile showed that the highest research output was for addressing the MDGS followed by the PHD and Faculty RPs. Compliance to MDGs 5 and 6 was obvious, whereas; MDGs 2, 3, and 7 were not represented at all after year 2000. No significant difference was found between PH theses addressing the Faculty RPs and those which were not before and after 2010. A significantly lower percent of PH theses was fulfilling the PHD research priorities compared to those which were not after 2010. This study showed a definite decline in research output tackling the MDGS and PHD research priorities, with a non-significant increase in the production of theses addressing the Faculty RPs. The present study is a practical model for policy makers within the universities to develop and implement a reliable monitoring and evaluation system for assessment of research output.
Highlights
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international goals with twenty one targets, with a series of measurable health and economic indicators for each target (United Nations, 2000a)
This study showed a definite decline in research output tackling the MDGS and Public Health Department (PHD) research priorities, with a non-significant increase in the production of theses addressing the Faculty research plans (RPs)
The overall goals of the MDGs were intended to improve an individual’s human capabilities, living standards, and the means to a productive life through emphasizing development in 3 main areas: human capital, infrastructure and human rights (Millennium Development Goals, 2015).There have been several consultations on the assessment of progress of the MDGs by a number of organizations, some of which have been officially led by governments, while others were driven by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private foundations (WHO, 2012, 2013; PROCOSI, 2013)
Summary
The MDGs are eight international goals with twenty one targets, with a series of measurable health and economic indicators for each target (United Nations, 2000a). They have been formally originated from the United Nations (UN) Millennium Declaration, following the Millennium Summit of UN in 2000 (United Nations, 2000b). Some countries achieved many goals, while others were not on track to realize any (United Nations, 2014). It is worth mentioning that the national and international research priorities have a mutual effect on the overall expected output and progress of research within countries. Despite that grey literature has its academic benefits because it contains data and statistics that could help assessing the MDGs progress (Fatokun & Amusa, 2014); little attention has been paid to its impact especially the submitted theses for different degrees www.ccsenet.org/gjhs
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