Developing Research Partnerships to Bring Change : Experiences from REACH Trust Malawi

Drawing on the experiences of REACH Trust; this paper highlights practical lessons of using research processes and outcomes to promote equity in health policy and practice. The REACH Trust is first introduced. Case studies are then used to highlight how REACH Trust has worked in a participatory manner with key stakeholders at community; national and international levels. In addition to participatory working there are a number of cross-cutting themes that facilitate the uptake of research findings which is discussed in turn: (1) multi-disciplinary and multi-method approaches (2) advocating research findings at strategic forums; and (3) the use of strategic frames. In the conclusion it is argued that research has a critical role to play in responding to the urgent need for the Malawian health sector to develop and act on evidence-based practice in a more gender equitable and pro-poor manner

Good research practice in the national public health institute

"This book contains recommendations; guidelines and legislation concerning research carried out in the National Public Health Institute (KTL) and it also describes the practices to be followed. It comprises the most important international recommendations; Finnish laws and good practices to be followed in medical research. The book gives guidance on the preparation of a studyplan; on ethical issues; on obtaining permits and informed consent as well as on funding issues. When a study has been performed according to this book; the researcher can state that the work has been carried out according to good research practice in KTL. The book begins with a chapter ""Good research practice summarized"" and ends with reviews on the characteristics of several research types. These are animal experiments; clinical sample studies (laboratory studies); clinical research; epidemiological and other population based research; health-related behaviouraland social research and register-based research. In parallel with the printed book we publish an Internet version in Finnish; with links to current laws; decrees and other references. The Internet version is the official one and the Editorial Board makes every effort to keep it up-to-date."