Building better evidence: tools to do research right

What makes research studies rigorous? Long before data is collected or results are published, the quality of a study is determined at its very foundation: the planning phase. Yet this is often where the most critical mistakes are made –  when research questions are vague, hypotheses are poorly defined, or key statistical considerations are overlooked.

The Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) Series on Statistics and Data Management for Research Studies was created to help researchers, especially those working in the field of sexual and reproductive health, strengthen this early phase of research and lay the groundwork for more rigorous, ethical, and impactful studies.It offers concise, focused guidance on the most important statistical and data management concepts researchers need to plan a study with confidence.

Rather than teaching theory in isolation, the series connects concepts to real-world research planning and implementation challenges by drawing on examples from HRP-supported studies. Each video is designed to clarify essential aspects of research planning, framing a research question, designing a hypothesis, planning for data collection and analysis, so that research teams can avoid common pitfalls and develop protocols that are not only methodologically sound but also practically feasible.

Crafting Compelling Research Questions: A Simple Guide to Effective Formulation Strategies 

Viewers are introduced to the importance of a well-structured research question. More than just a formality, a clear question helps define the scope and direction of the entire study. It informs decisions about study design, sampling, and analysis, and ultimately influences the quality of evidence generated. The video demonstrates how a well-framed question ensures relevance, feasibility, and clarity – characteristics that are especially crucial when working with limited resources or in low- and middle-income country settings.

Data management plan development: charting a course for public health research success 

This video explores how to plan for effective data management from the start of a study. It introduces the purpose and components of a Data Management Plan (DMP), emphasizing its role in ensuring data quality, security, and ethical compliance. Drawing on the RED trial, the video shows how well-defined data procedures and responsibilities contribute to transparent, reliable, and usable research outcomes across the study lifecycle.

Hypothesis Testing in Research: Navigating the Path From Theory to Discovery 

This video focuses on hypothesis testing, guiding researchers from question to testable statement. It breaks down how to construct both null and alternative hypotheses and explains their significance in different types of study designs, including superiority and non-inferiority trials. Using examples from the Kesho Bora and CHAMPION trials, the video demonstrates how these statistical tools were applied to address pressing questions in maternal and reproductive health. By seeing how hypotheses were defined and tested in these real studies, researchers can better understand how to apply similar logic in their own work.

Case Report Form Development: Laying the Foundation for Effective Data Collection in Research 

The final video in the series focuses on case report form (CRF) development, using the CAP trial on calcium supplementation as a case study. It explains how CRFs should align with study objectives, follow a clear structure, and include only essential data fields. Emphasizing clarity, standardization, and ethical compliance, the video shows how thoughtful CRF design supports consistent, high-quality data collection across study sites.

The videos are intended for researchers at all levels, including junior professionals, collaborators, and those who may not have formal training in biostatistics or epidemiology. At the same time, they serve as valuable refreshers for professionals involved in protocol development, ethics review, or project oversight.

Researchers are encouraged to use these videos in training sessions, mentorship programmes, or study team meetings – and to share them widely within their networks.

Stronger research begins with better planning, and better planning starts with learning.