Aiming to enhance the capabilities of scholars in reviewing and evaluating health research proposals, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) in partnership with the PCHRD Scholars’ Society (PSS) conducted a four-day Online Workshop on Critiquing Research Proposals on July 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2022 via Zoom.

A total of 42 participants joined the online workshop which covered didactic and skills development activities on the technical review of health research protocols including topics on research and sampling designs, methods of data collection, and statistical analysis, among others.

Facilitated by Dr. Ophelia M. Mendoza, Director of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adapting (MERLA) Unit of the USAID ReachHealth Project, the participants’ final outputs are the group and individual evaluations of research proposals following the PCHRD format.

“This workshop has long been advocated by PCHRD in collaboration with PSS. It is designed to enhance the skills of research evaluators to make them aware of the study protocol requirements and expected outcomes of the Council. This activity will also be the reference in selecting PCHRD’s evaluators,” says Dr. Bella G. Panlilio, PSS President.

The PSS, launched on 17 March 2007 during the PCHRD’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, is composed of PCHRD Scholars who partners with PCHRD in developing human resources for health research through capacity building and in creating an enabling environment for career in research. The Society aims to promote research productivity among the new graduates and provide a forum for the PCHRD Scholars to exchange health research information and develop networking and partnerships.