The program offers multidisciplinary training in research methods with a substantive focus on the application in the fields of population and health equity. The purpose of the course is to acquaint participants with principles of research methodologies and to build the capacities of Arab researchers to face population and health inequity issues. This course develops the skills needed for data collection and analysis with an emphasis on orienting research towards producing policy guidelines. The technical skills acquired are illustrated in the field of population and health. Participants are also required to apply the tools and concepts they learn in their special field of interest.

• The integration of skills and tools from different disciplines in social science.

• The use of innovative teaching techniques such as active and cooperative learning, as well as self teaching computer modules.

• The emphasis on development concerns in the Arab region and the utilization of research for guiding policy.

• The integration of a health equity lens in the course particularly in terms of the implications for health policies.

The core of the training program consists of four complementary training modules which are seen as integrated package that extends from basic elements and skills in the research process up to the ultimate objective of drawing policy implications and presenting them in a format appropriate to the needs of senior policy makers.

Each module provides basic tools and concepts that cut across many policy areas and social science fields, as well as specialized knowledge on population and health equity. The program also contains actual applications on topical concerns identified by the trainees. The applications include development of a research proposal, design of a questionnaire, analysis and report writing.

The program provides intensive instruction of commonly used statistical computer packages for data entry, as well as epidemiological and statistical analysis. The focus is on data management and programming problems. Basic issues in each of these areas are discussed in the context of teaching the specific skills required to use the computer statistical packages effectively.

The course is designed to address a wide audience of practitioners and researchers who are engaged in and/or utilize research for guiding policy. It is also suitable for those with programmatic interests in the development field in the Arab countries, with particular emphasis on population and health equity.

• Lectures and seminars

• Group work and application exercises

• Professional scientific presentations

• Focus Group discussions

• Computer applications

• CD of course material

• Hard copies of course material

• Power point presentation of lectures

• References to further readings

• Textbooks developed by SRC to cover the course content

Participants learn through the discussion of readings, as well as the critical analyses of their experiences in Arab countries. Trainees are expected to be prepared to share knowledge and experience related to population development and research in the Arab countries.

1. Course Participation (at least 90 percent):
This includes attendance, active participation in class discussions and group work

2. Course Evaluation:Trainees are expected to complete a pre-test on the first day of each module and a post-test on the last day of the module. In addition, participants are asked to give their opinion daily on the sessions, instructors, materials, and organization, as well as fill in an evaluation form at the end of each module and at the end of the training course.

3. Assignments:
Trainees are expected to fulfill all required assignments throughout the course.