This course is designed to provide the skills necessary for researchers to design and write up a full research protocol appropriate to the field of study. A well written research protocol is fundamental to success in achieving the intended research aims and solving the intended problem.

Many individuals struggle with how to write a good comprehensive research protocol. This course is just right for the time and crisis at hand to offer hands-on experience in proposal development.

To provide skills and competencies for leaners to be able to write a complete research protocol appropriate for the field and intended research questions they want to address.

At the end of the program Learners should be able to:

1. Understand basic research concepts and characteristics
2. Understand the research process and its application
3. Understand research protocol outline and how to write each subsection
4. Understand the process of research protocol publishing

At the end of this course, learners will be able to do the following:

1. Conduct and write a systematic literature review
2. Use a Referencing manager
3. Write out SMART aims
4. Write a statement of the problem and Rationale
5. Calculate the sample size for the study
6. Be able to write the methodology
7. Writing ethical statements
8. Design data collection tools
9. Design Gannt charts and Budgets
10. Format protocols with live table of contents, figures and tables
11. Knowledgeable on how to publish a research protocol or proposal

The candidate must possess a minimum of a certificate in any health-related course or be a student or learner at certificate or diploma or degree level. It will be advantageous if the learner is currently working on or planning to design a research proposal.

None. This course is appropriate even for beginners

Intensive 2 weeks of didactic lectures, hands-on practical and tutorials sessions

Upon successful completion the candidates will be awarded a certificate in Research Protocol Development. This qualification will only apply to a student who passes the final exam.

1. Introduction to Scientific Research
2. Research Process and designs
3. Formulation of Hypothesis, research question and aims
4. Referencing manager
5. Literature review
6. Problem statement
7. Rationale/Justification of the study
8. Sample size calculation
9. Sampling methods
10. Data Collection and data collection tools
11. Data Analysis and Interpretation plan
12. Protocol Summary
13. Ethical considerations
14. Gant chart and budgets
15. Appendices: Participant Information Sheet, Consent forms, Data collection tools
16. Formatting protocol
17. Publishing a research protocol

Lectures, Hands-on Tutorials and Assignments

Note: select one when applying

• Option A: 06:00 – 08:00
• Option B: 10:00 – 12:00
• Option C: 12:00 – 14:00
• Option D: 16:00 – 18:00
• Option E: 18:00 – 20:00

• Assignment 20%
• Quizzes 20%
• Final Project 60%

Mulungushi University certificate will be provided