DFID Research: call for proposals for systematic reviews for international development
Providing a more robust evidence base for policy makers and practitioners.
Vietnamese highland women. Picture: Kirsty Mason/DFID
The Department for International Development is expanding an exciting systematic review programme that aims to strengthen evidence-informed decision making. DFID has developed a set of systematic review questions based on policy and practice priorities and is now calling for proposals from interested reviewers to conduct a systematic review.
The questions include topics such as:
- infrastructure
- growth
- humanitarian assistance
- education
Please see the terms of reference and the full list of questions for more detailed information on the call. Applicants applying for question 10 should note that they have flexibility to suggest amendments to the protocol, and that they should justify any changes in their application form. Interested parties can download the application form here.
Systematic reviewing is a well-established method that aims to bring the rigour of primary studies to secondary studies and surveys. In brief, the review team should systematically map the evidence base, critically appraise the evidence and produce a synthesis of the best available evidence.
DFID will encourage a broad-based approach to systematic reviewing that incorporates theory and uses qualitative and/or quantitative data. The systematic reviews should be suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and will also provide a timely and rigorous assessment of the evidence base for key DFID policy questions. Delivery of systematic reviews should be within 12 months.
Those interested in forming a review team, and being part of cutting-edge research to increase the use of evidence in policy, can find further information on DFID’s current engagement in systematic reviews here. For more information on this call, contact systematicreviews@dfid.gov.uk.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 9 October 2013.