Rigorous research · Ethical standards · Methodological integrity
AEDS’ envisages to be a respected and an authentic think tank which provides credible and authoritative research outputs for in-country policy dialogues and policy formulation. AEDS’s research and publication is governed by the Research and Publications Quality Assurance Policy.
The AEDS' Research & Publication Quality Assurance Policy furnishes an elaborate institutional policy yardstick aimed at ensuring that the research activities and outputs are conducted in a scientifically rigorous, ethically correct, transparent and accountable manner. The policy covers all the internal and commissioned research projects and regulates the entire lifecycle of the research processes including planning and ethical approval up to the publication and post-publication review. It is meant to standardise the research procedures, protect research subjects, data and information, preserve methodological consistency and align research findings with institutional, legal, ethical and strategic goals. The policy aims to protect the integrity of research, safeguard participants and sensitive data, standardise methodological and analytical protocols, and ensure that all the results are compliant with the institutional, ethical, and legal standards.
Every research we conduct should have a well-documented research plan which indicates the objectives, methods adopted, study design, data management strategies and the expected results. The focus of this research policy yardstick is to meet ethical standards of inquiry: prior to starting any data collection, researchers need to receive an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics committee formal approval, particularly, when working on human subjects or sensitive information.
A data management plan that is consistent with the function of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) is required. AEDS' researchers have the duty of upholding accurate, secure and well documented data records within the institutional data protection standards. Internal reviews support methodological rigour by reviewing the research design, sampling designs, and methods of analysis. Clear and proven instruments should be employed, and all the assumptions, limitations, and deviations should be reported so that they could be reproduced.
All research outputs must undergo rigorous internal peer review prior to external submission to ensure scientific accuracy, methodological rigour, clarity of interpretation, and alignment with institutional standards. Reviewers are required to verify the accuracy of data, references, figures, tables, and statistical analyses, and confirm that all findings are supported by documented evidence. The final approval for publication shall only be given if there is confirmation of conformity to ethical requirements, authorship, conflicts of interest, and quality assurance policies.
Lastly, the policy focuses on post-publication surveillance, corrective measures where applicable, recording of lessons learned and the improvement of the same. The AEDS Quality Assurance Policy enhances the research credibility, safeguards ethical considerations, and encourages sustainable and quality high scholarly production that is in line with organizations' mission by ensuring clear procedures, specified responsibilities, and strict review protocols.
This research policy framework clearly spells out the governance structures and responsibilities of office bearers and Research, Policy Advisory and Advocacy Committee of the AEDS' Board. Terms of references, proposals, methods, and the final products are reviewed and approved by the Research, Policy Advisory and Advocacy Committee of the AEDS' Board. Research, Policy Advisory and Advocacy Committee of the AEDS' Board shall ensure that all the set research and publications standard operating procedures are strictly adhered to.
The Executive Management shall be in charge of strategic oversight and overall governance of the research processes with a view to ensuring that all research operations are in tandem with the mission of the organisation, regulation requirements, and the quality standards. This involves the ratification of institutional research policies, provision of sufficient resources, and provision of monitoring systems to help in promoting quality research products. The Executive Management shall foster a culture of integrity, accountability and continuous improvement in all research functions and processes.
