How do you manage research challenges in complex contexts?

1 Define your research question

The first step in any research project is to define your research question clearly and concisely. Your question should be relevant, feasible, and answerable within the scope and resources of your project. It should also reflect the needs and interests of your target population, stakeholders, and funders. To formulate a good research question, you can use the PICO framework, which stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. For example, if you want to study the impact of a peer support group on the mental health of homeless youth, your question could be: How does participation in a peer support group affect the mental health outcomes of homeless youth compared to those who do not participate?

2 Choose your research design

The next step is to choose a research design that suits your research question, context, and goals. There are different types of research designs, such as experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, and qualitative. Each design has its own strengths and limitations, and you need to consider the validity, reliability, and generalizability of your results. You also need to be aware of the ethical implications and potential risks of your design, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and harm reduction. To choose a research design, you can consult the literature, experts, and guidelines in your field, and justify your decision based on the best available evidence.

3 Collect and analyze your data

The third step is to collect and analyze your data according to your research design and question. Data collection and analysis can be challenging in complex contexts, as you may face issues such as access, availability, quality, and diversity of data sources. You may also encounter resistance, mistrust, or misunderstanding from your participants or partners. To overcome these challenges, you need to establish rapport, trust, and collaboration with your data providers, and use appropriate methods and tools to collect and analyze your data. You also need to ensure the accuracy, validity, and reliability of your data, and address any biases, errors, or gaps that may affect your results.

4 Interpret and disseminate your findings

The final step is to interpret and disseminate your findings in a way that is meaningful, useful, and accessible to your audience. Interpretation and dissemination can be challenging in complex contexts, as you may have to deal with conflicting, ambiguous, or unexpected findings, or face criticism, opposition, or indifference from your stakeholders or beneficiaries. To overcome these challenges, you need to be transparent, honest, and respectful in presenting and explaining your findings, and acknowledge the limitations and implications of your research. You also need to tailor your dissemination strategy and format to the needs and preferences of your audience, and use clear, simple, and engaging language and visuals.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?