Research for Improved Program Performance

Presented by: Andrew Newsham, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies;  Paul Perrin, Senior Technical Advisor for Monitoring and Evaluation, Operations Research and Learning in Health and HIV, Catholic Relief Services;  Alfonso Rosales, Maternal and Child Health Technical Specialist, World Vision

Many organizations are planning to use small scale studies or conduct research to identify effective approaches or tools in development programs. Meanwhile, the skills and experience necessary to effectively design and implement research are still limited among implementing organizations. This session was designed to share some of the promising practices and challenges encountered by both implementers and the research institutions partnering with them as they carry out program level research for improved program performance. Panelists discussed the process of designing and partnering for small scale research using specific examples from their own organizations. Topics addressed included technical support needed, involving project staff in design and implementation, challenges encountered, and the uses of research findings.