Strengthening health research capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is a recognized way to advance health and development. However, systematic evidence on the effectiveness of different approaches remains limited, as their complexity and diversity make monitoring and evaluation (M&E) difficult.
Working in partnership with the ESSENCE on Health Research (Enhancing Support for Strengthening the Effectiveness of National Capacity Efforts) initiative, hosted by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), a group of researchers explored how monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of health research capacity strengthening (RCS) takes place and what can be done to improve it. Amongst the researchers are LSTM’s Professor Imelda Bates; TDR’s Garry Aslanyan; Alan Boyd of Manchester University’s Business School and Donald C Cole of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada.
Findings from this research, which showed key tensions in evaluating health RCS, have now been presented in a series of research Snapshots which synthesize findings and recommendations and are based on academic papers which are being referenced at the end of each Snapshot (see below). Researchers found that if evaluations are to be meaningful to all stakeholders, the participation of researchers and funding beneficiaries in LMIC is vital. Yet donors often need speedy evaluations to demonstrate accountability and value for money. This raises the question of how to share wider learning about health research capacity strengthening; use the results and increase sustainability in this context?
By examining existing health research capacity strengthening M&E frameworks researchers found that most evaluations fulfil the needs of the funder and evaluations would be more effective if they were based on broader theories of change. However, the research also found that there is increasing interest among funders to harmonize evaluation efforts.
Professor Bates, leads LSTM Capacity Research Unit, which uses operational research techniques to generate high quality robust evidence to aid the design and evaluation of capacity strengthening initiatives for programmes within LSTM and for external agencies.
Snapshot 1: Tensions in evaluating health research capacity strengthening
Snapshot 2: Frameworks for evaluating health research capacity strengthening
Snapshot 3: Indicators for evaluating health research capacity strengthening