A WEEK OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY TRAINING AT THE KEMRI ELDORET CENTRE

KEMRI Eldoret was the host for Research Methodology Masterclass short course that brought together 21 participants from various organizations and county governments. 

The training was conducted by the KEMRI Graduate School (KGS) at the KEMRI Eldoret’s Sports Science Research Center and was facilitated by Dr. Rose Bosire and Dr. Vincent Were.

Over the weeklong training, participants had the opportunity to learn key concepts of research methodology and practice the skills through group discussions and assignments. They were equipped with knowledge and skills on how to deliver a research proposal that can attract funding and at the end of the training each participant had developed a draft research proposal.

The training that began on 22^nd April 2024 brought together health care professionals from Elgeiyo Marakwet, Kericho, Kiambu, Meru, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot counties.

These participants represented a spectrum of backgrounds, united by a common desire to sharpen their research skills and delve deeper into the world of scientific inquiry covering a comprehensive range of topics crucial to research methodology.

Participants were engaged in both theoretical lectures and practical sessions, ensuring a holistic learning experience through the 15 Modules that were delivered in a hybrid manner that accommodated both the physical and online participants.

The five-day course was meticulously designed to be a well-rounded learning experience. Theoretical lectures provided a solid foundation in crucial research methodology topics. Participants delved into the intricacies of research protocol formats, learning how to structure their investigations for clarity and effectiveness. 

They explored the art of evidence appraisal, gaining the ability to critically evaluate existing research and build upon past knowledge. Building a literature search strategy became a valuable skill, equipping them to navigate the vast ocean of scholarly publications and pinpoint the most relevant resources.

Finally, the generation of a reference index was demystified, ensuring proper attribution and academic integrity in their research endeavors.

During the opening session, the Acting Director, Research Capacity Building and KGS, Dr. Martin Bundi welcomed the participants and thanked them for enrolling for the course.

He noted that part of KEMRI’s mandate is to build capacities of health professionals through training making them more skilled to address the health challenges. Through the KEMRI Graduate School, the institute offers training and capacity building initiatives via postgraduate programmes, short courses, postdoctoral fellowships, internships and mentorship programmes. He thanked the facilitators and the staff for their efforts towards planning the short course, noting that participants will have a firm foundation in research methods and better skilled to formulate research topics, design their studies, comply with ethical standards, and be able to write competitive research proposals and study manuscripts. 

Samson Mely, Program Officer in-charge of Reproductive Health from Uasin Gishu County Government, found himself motivated by the training. The course on research methodology had been an eye-opener. Previously, his proposals for maternal & neonatal health often felt haphazard. Now, armed with new knowledge, he is able to structure a proposal that addresses issues on the increased HIV positivity rate among HIV exposed infants born of mothers on HAART. The skills acquired on the training has helped Mely to have defined research methods and plan data collection process thus ready to submit a proposal for funding.

As the course ended, a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie permeated the room. The participants expressed their heartfelt gratitude to KEMRI for this invaluable learning opportunity. Dr. Rose Bosire, Dr. Vincent Were, and their team received high praise for their expertise, dedication, and ability to translate complex concepts into clear and engaging lessons.

But the impact of this short course extended beyond the acquired skills. It ignited a spark of curiosity and a renewed passion for scientific inquiry. The participants left the Sports Science Research Center not only with a toolkit of research methods but also with a broader perspective on the importance of evidence-based practices.  They carried within them the seeds of inquiry, ready to be planted in their respective fields and blossom into impactful research projects.

This inaugural training at the Eldoret Centre marked a significant milestone for KGS. It served as a powerful symbol of their commitment to capacity building and knowledge dissemination in the crucial field of healthcare and scientific research.  By empowering individuals from various regions, KEMRI is not only nurturing the next generation of researchers but also fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making that will ultimately lead to improved healthcare outcomes across the North Rift region and beyond.  This short course was just the beginning, a testament to KEMRI’s dedication to advancing research excellence, one inquisitive mind at a time.

The training was officially closed on Friday 26^th April 2024 by the Acting Director General, KEMRI. As the first cohort of the training in North Rift Region, Prof. Songok congratulated the participants and urged them to use the knowledge to write grants and publish their generated research findings. He further stated that this is just but a start of a long collaboration between KEMRI and the county governments. “The participants should use the knowledge from the training to package the data that they have at their disposal and publish papers thus disseminating knowledge”.

Additionally, The DG said that KEMRI is open to partner with the county governments since research is built on partnerships. There are a lot of research funding opportunities available, both locally and beyond and therefore the participants should challenge themselves to draft competitive concepts and proposals and collaborate with other scientists and institutions.

Also in attendance during the closing ceremony was Ms. Margaret Rigoro -Corporation Secretary, Ms. Joan Lelei- Principal HRM Officer, Compensation and Benefits and Mr. Barnabas Kimatoi – Personal Assistant to the DG.