Conducting Health EDRM research presents unique and diverse opportunities and challenges, given the complexities of health, risks, hazards and disasters. Understanding how to approach Health EDRM research can help researchers generate high quality evidence that can be used to promote, restore and maintain the health status and health equity of individuals and communities before, during and after emergencies or disasters.
Chapter 7.7 provides an overview of key factors to consider when doing Health EDRM research. It outlines information about the choice of research topic; the approach, methodologies and technologies that might be used; the determination of the geographical scope and coverage of the study; and the consideration needed for how long the study will last and the key stakeholders to involve (including the target audience, the research team and other actors who will be directly or indirectly involved in the research).
This chapter explains key factors to consider when doing research in health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM) and be able to:
- Outline the main purpose of doing research in Health EDRM.
- Explain various aspects that influence the choice of the topic to investigate, and the characteristics that this topic must have.
- Discuss the contrasts between the approaches of systemic disaster risk with those of the environmental approach to health associated with biological risks.
- Explain the importance of the Theory of Change and an Evidence-based Research Strategy, and why they can be complementary to research in Health EDRM.
Authors: Sarmiento JP.