IPSF AfRO RESEARCH-A-THON PROJECT

A. BACKGROUND
Pharmacy students are required to undergo research, write some journals and manuscript at least once
throughout their academic journey. Some might even choose a line in the profession that requires
them to do this more frequently. Generally, as the world evolves, the need for research grows, and
it remains a factor of key importance in creating a knowledge-driven economy and supporting
development initiatives as well as driving innovations across all fields.

By doing research to find solutions to problems that are currently unknown, we can close knowledge gaps
and change the way healthcare professionals work as well as how we respond to public health
issues. With the increase in health concerns ravaging the world, it is clear that research is
indispensable. Normalcy dictates that we integrate research into academic courses of pharmacy
students at the undergraduate level. This would give them a strong academic foundation and can
strengthen their autonomous critical thinking abilities as well as their oral and written
communication skills, among others. However, existing literature reveals that this is not the norm
leaving undergraduates including pharmacy students with knowledge and experience gaps.

In lieu of this, the research-a-thon 2024 is designed to enhance the capacity of pharmacy students and young
pharmacists in the Sub-Saharan Africa region in the basics and fundamentals of research and to
also spur collaboration between members in different member organization (s). As pharmacy
students get ready for professional service, the research-a-thon affects important learning goals
that would have a lasting impact.

B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Theme: Building a new generation of early-career researchers in the pharmacy and pharmaceutical
sciences field

The Research-a-thon 2024 is a first-of-its-kind 10-week virtual event between 27th January - `6th April 2024
involving workshops, collaboration, and mentorship. It is a transformative project designed to equip
pharmacy students and young pharmacists with the fundamental knowledge, tools, and resources on
research writing in the sciences.

C. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To educate and empower pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences students and young pharmacists
on the basics and fundamentals of research writing
2. To develop the critical thinking abilities as well as their oral and written communication skills
3. To strengthen collaboration between members in different member organization(s)
4. To validate and update existing knowledge in research writing
5. To empower pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences students to develop and publish research
papers
6. To satisfy curiosity in research writing for the sciences.
D. PROJECT OUTLINE
1. Registration Phase

In this phase, participants would be asked to register via a Google form. The form would be filled
individually based on interest and motivation to participate in the program. The registration will
open from the 10th of January – the 21st of January at 23:59 GMT +0. All registered individuals
will be assigned an ID number to track their attendance and participation during the workshop
phase.

2. Workshop Phase

This phase involves a 5-week intensive training on various aspects of research writing. The outline of the
workshops are outlined in the table below:

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5

Systematic
What is Research Review and Meta- Referencing and
writing? Analyses referencing styles Plagiarism Types of Journals
Qualitative and
Various Research Quantitative Why referencing Types of Making a Journal
Areas Research is important Plagiarism Submissions
Adhering the
Type of Research Writing your first Use of referencing Plagiarism Journal
Papers manuscript software detector apps Guidelines
Reviewing the Writing winning Other research Abstract writing
Literature research proposals Bibliography tools for conferences
Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment

3. Collaboration Phase

Individuals who score up to 80% attendance during the workshop phase will be assembled on either the
Young Researcher’s Forum or a WhatsApp group for possible collaboration to work on various
research projects with other participants from different member organization(s). A different
Google form will be shared to the participants to indicate areas of interest to match them with
individuals of similar interests.

4. Writing and Mentorship Phase

After similar interests have been established, participants will form small groups to collaboratively work
on their research projects. The small groups would be assigned with a mentor for regular check-
ins with mentors to address queries and provide guidance. There would also be peer review
sessions by other groups to improve quality of respective research projects,
E. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
1. Participants will be taught fundamentals of research writing and publication.
2. Participants will develop the skills required to effectively communicate their research findings.
3. Participants will produce high quality research papers.
4. Participants will understand how to write winning research proposals.
5. Participants will be connected with mentors and advisors to ensure constant support and follow-up,
and continuous growth.
6. IPSF-AfRO will develop a research toolkit that details a step-by-step guide on research writing for
all member organization (s) in the region.

F. ELIGIBILITY
The project is open to all IPSF-AfRO members who are interested in research writing or publications.

G. RULES OF ENGAGEMENTS
1. All IPSF-AfRO members are eligible to participate.
2. Interested persons will apply as an individual.
3. The Workshop phase will be in both English and French.
4. Participants must score at least 80% attendance in the workshop phase to advance into the
collaboration phase.
5. Participants must score at least 70% in the final assessments after the workshop phase to advance
into the collaboration phase.
6. Participants must be able to work in teams in the writing and mentorship phase

H. AWARDS
1. All participants will get a ‘Certificate of Participation’ after they complete the workshop and
collaboration phase.
2. Team with feasible research ideas will be guided to submit abstracts for the AfPS 2024

I. PROJECT MATERIALS

● Workshop slides.
● IPSF AfRO Research Toolkit
● Activities on the YRF/IPSF platforms.
● Important guided references.
J. TIMELINE
Agenda Date Venue

Call Release 12th January, 2024 Online

Registration Period 12th – 22nd January, 2024 Online

Informational Workshop 17th January, 2024 Zoom

Workshop Phase 27th January – 24th February, Zoom

2024

Collaboration Phase 27th February – 5th March, 2024 YRF or WhatsApp

Writing and Mentorship Phase 5th March – 6th April, 2024 YRF or WhatsApp

End of project session TBD Zoom

K. CONTACT DETAILS
Mr. Yusuf Babatunde
IPSF-AfRO Regional Projects Officer 23-24
rpo@afro.ipsf.org

Ms. Nkieh Eleanor Fonji

IPSF-AfRO Regional Projects subcommittee
nkiehnyakfonji@gmail.com

Ms. Nezianya Onyinyechukwu Jacinta

IPSF-AfRO Regional Projects subcommittee
neonjacy12@gmail.com

Ms. Jimoh Sarat

IPSF-AfRO Regional Projects subcommittee
jimohsarat8@gmail.com