Samuel R P Franzen|Clare Chandler|Trudie Lang
Health research capacity development in low and middle income countries: reality or rhetoric? A systematic meta-narrative review of the qualitative literature
Oxford Policy Management|London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
locally led health research low middle income countries lmics critical overcoming global health challenges yet despite 25 years international efforts health research capacity lmics remains insufficient development attempts continue fragmented aim systematic review identify critically examine main approaches trends health research capacity development consolidate key thinking identify coherent approachthis review includes academic grey literature published january 2000 july 2013 using predetermined search strategy systematically searched pubmed handsearched google scholar checked reference lists process yielded 1668 papers 240 papers selected based priori criteria modified version metanarrative synthesis used analyse papers3 key narratives identified effect power relations capacity development demand stronger links research policy practice importance systems approach capacity development delivered 4 main modalities vertical research projects centres excellence northsouth partnerships networks controversial strengths weaknesses plurality development strategies employed address specific barriers health research however lack empirical research monitoring evaluation meant effectiveness unclear learning weakthere steady progress lmic health research capacity major barriers research persist empirical evidence development strategies required despite evolution development thinking international actors continue use outdated development models recognised ineffective realise newer development thinking research capacity outcomes need equally valued research outputs development actors adopting dedicated capacity development approach minority