This toolkit provides deeper learning on implementation research, helping people learn a standard process that can lead to results that can be compared across regions and countries. It is designed to help identify system bottlenecks and the stakeholders to be involved in the process, formulate appropriate research questions, conduct the research and develop a plan for implementing the study results.
Since its launch in 2014, over 200 researchers, academics, disease control programme managers, policy-makers, health administrators, communication specialists and journalists have used the Toolkit and provided feedback. The latest revision responds directly to their comments, as well as to new learning about the critical role of IR in the effective introduction of new policies, strategies and health technologies within health systems. The revised version of the Implementation Research Toolkit is now available on line: https://adphealth.org/irtoolkit/ and on the WHO IRIS platform: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/363749/9789241513685-eng.pdf
• It is divided into eight nonlinear modules.
• There are new modules on Understanding IR, Integrating IR into the health system, IR-related communications and advocacy and intersectional gender lens.
• Modules are self-contained, so they can be used as stand-alone tools, according to the relative understanding and skills of users in each thematic area.
• The IR toolkit is now in a self-learning format, unlike the previous version that had to be used through workshop settings.
• It can be explored from start-to-finish or focus on any specific module depending on the unique needs of the individual or research team.
• Now research teams can use it individually or together, and in their own time and pace.
