Baseline research on critical appraisal skills for public health reporting and communication for routine immunization using qualitative methods
Client: George Institute for Global Health
Location: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat
Background Context: UNICEF, in partnership with the George Institute for Global Health, Oxford University, and Reuters, initiated a program to develop a course that builds the capacities of journalists on Critical Appraisal Skills (CASP). The objective of the program was to empower media professionals to effectively promote the importance of vaccines and foster evidence-based reporting in the field of immunization.
Objectives
To facilitate this initiative, Development Solutions was commissioned to conduct a baseline research to understand the following aspects:
- Current state of media reporting on public health, specifically, immunization given the plurality and diversity in the media
- Constraints faced by the journalists in reporting on immunization and public health, and availability of supportive practices for public health journalism
- Effective customization of CASP based on specific areas for skill development of journalists to report on public health
- Acceptance of CASP by journalists and to determine from them the most effectiv delivery mechanism of the course
Approach and Methodology
- Method/ Design: Secondary literature review, evaluation of media articles on immunization using media rating tool, classification and analysis of media articles on immunization written in 2014; Qualitative research tools - Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant interviews.
- Key Respondents/ Informants: Journalists, media educators, journalists/media persons reporting on Health and Science
- Key Areas of Inquiry: The current state of media reporting on immunization and Public Health; analysis of news on immunization; constraints faced by Journalists in reporting on health; skill gaps and knowledge gaps; the state of media education in India; acceptance of CASP and its delivery.
- Sample: Qualitative: 447 (FGD= 432, Key Informant interviews= 15)
Impact
Based on the research study, UNICEF, George Institute for Public Health and Oxford University developed and piloted modules/ courses for journalists to report on issues of public health.
Contact
17/109, Lower Ground Floor, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi – 110024