The Union offers an intensive course in operational research that consists of three 5-day modules spaced out over 9 months. The aim is to help participants develop the practical skills for conducting and publishing operational research. Participants work with facilitators to develop their own research protocol in Module 1. They start to collect data and learn how to set up an electronic system for data entry and analysis in Module 2. They return for Module 3 with data collected and analysed, and learn how to write their own scientific paper, which is then submitted within two weeks to an international peer-reviewed journal.
Application process: About 3-4 months before the course starts, a call for applications and a course brief are circulated widely via e-mail and through contacts. Candidates have to complete an application form by a stated deadline, and participants (12 per course) are selected by a committee that assesses all applications.