Ripple effects of research capacity strengthening: a study of the effects of a project to support test facilities in three African countries towards Good Laboratory Practice certification
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Date
2022-03-23
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Gates Open Research
Abstract
Background: Strengthening capacity for public health research is
essential to the generation of high-quality, reliable scientific data. This
study focuses on a research capacity strengthening project
supporting seven test facilities in Africa conducting studies on
mosquito vector control products towards Good Laboratory Practice
(GLP) certification. It captures the primary effects of the project on
each facility’s research capacity, the secondary effects at the individual
and institutional level, and the ripple effects that extend beyond the
research system. The relationships between effects at different levels
are identified and compared to an existing framework for the
evaluation of research capacity strengthening initiatives.
Methods: To capture the views of individuals engaged in the project
at all levels within each facility, a maximum-variation purposive
sampling strategy was used. This allowed triangulation between
different data sources. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
with individuals in three facilities and a combination of email and remote video-call interviews were conducted with individuals at two
further facilities.
Results: We found that, despite a focus of the GLP certification project
at the institutional level, the project had effects also at individual
(including enhanced motivation, furtherment of careers) and
national/international levels (including development of regional
expertise). In addition, we detected ripple effects of the project which
extended beyond the research system.
Conclusion: This study shows that research capacity strengthening
interventions that are focussed on institutional level goals require
actions also at individual and national/international levels. The effects
of engagement at all three levels can be amplified by collaborative
actions at the national/international level. These findings show that
research capacity strengthening projects must develop plans that
address and evaluate impact at all three levels. Capturing the ripple
effects of investment in research capacity strengthening should also
be planned for from the beginning of projects to support further
engagement of all stakeholders.
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Keywords
Laboratory, research capacity strengthening, good laboratory practice, insecticide, test facility, quality management system, quality management systems, Burkina Faso, Université Nazi Boni, CEA-ITECH_MTV, ACE: Bio-technological Innovation for the Elimination of Vector- Borne Diseases, Diabate Abdoulaye, William Kisinza