Participants in a hands-on Research Methods workshop gathered at the Health Services Academy on Monday, November 17, 2025, as a pre-conference event for the 15th International Public Health Conference. The session focused on practical differences and applications between qualitative and quantitative approaches, helping attendees refine how they design and implement public health studies in Pakistan.
The facilitators guiding the workshop were Prof Dr Sajida Naseem (Health Services Academy), Dr Aysha Sheraz (Associate Professor, Health Services Academy), Dr Syeda Hanaa Fatima (Assistant Professor, NUMS), and Dr Tayyaba Faisal (Consultant Epidemiologist, CPSP). Their combined expertise supported focused exercises and real-world examples to illustrate when qualitative insight or quantitative measurement is most appropriate.
Thirty five public health practitioners, researchers and postgraduate students took part in the highly interactive session. Through group discussion and targeted questioning participants explored sampling strategies, data collection tools, analysis choices, and common methodological challenges, with an emphasis on selecting the right approach to meet research objectives.
Attendees actively engaged with facilitators, shared field experiences, and reflected on methodological trade-offs that affect evidence quality. The workshop reinforced the importance of strong Research Methods for advancing rigorous, evidence-based public health practice across Pakistan and inspired ongoing efforts to strengthen research capacity among emerging and established professionals.
