The Realities of Conducting Reproductive Health-based Studies in the Developing World: Cases from Mali & India

Abstract

This field notes article provides an overview of two reproductive health research studies previously conducted in Mali and India and the methodological lessons learned. The lessons learned from these studies were: 1) to effectively emphasize the protocol for the study and the specific timeline to which all study coordinators/partners will adhere; 2) to obtain both written and oral agreements from all the partners to abide by the protocol; 3) to ensure the study tools are approved for use by all study coordinators; 4) to ensure adequate resources are available for use prior to the beginning of data collection; and 5) to provide adequate training to all interviewers and personnel who will be interacting and working with study participants. By following these steps, study investigators in the future will be able to effectively carry out international public health research.