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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
editorial
. 2016 Oct 15;107(4-5):e387–e389. doi: 10.17269/CJPH.107.5555

Operational readiness for conducting global health research abroad

Judy M McDonald 19,, Theresa W Gyorkos 29,39,49
PMCID: PMC6972200  PMID: 28026702

Abstract

Research excellence is the goal of all researchers. Conducting quality research with the ultimate aim of improving health is a shared goal among researchers in the global health domain. The competencies required for conducting and producing quality research in global health go far beyond the academic or scientific spheres. They incorporate aspects of research partnership, which places humility, empathy, and mutual respect at its core. Conducting quality respectful global health research requires an appropriate balance of operational readiness (i.e., technical, physical, and mental readiness). This paper reports on the pertinence and potential shaping of conceptual work and exploratory research focusing on aspects of mental readiness. These aspects may be perceived to be significant enough to influence success and warrant further investigation in the context of conducting global health research abroad.

Key words: Preparedness, excellence, research, graduate students, mental readiness, performance

Footnotes

Conflict of Interest: None to declare.

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