SORT IT is growing—expanding to new regions, addressing new areas of public health, adopting more complex study designs, and piloting innovative delivery methods. We actively promote partnerships and national leadership. You can support these tailored training opportunities in your country or institution by sponsoring a workshop. Partner with TDR to host a SORT IT workshop that aligns with the global health challenges addressed in the TDR Strategy 2024-2029 and/or help train new facilitators and bring world-class operational research capacity to your country or institution.
Criteria for SORT IT or adapted SORT IT courses, use of logos
- TDR-led and/or funded (or co-funded) courses.
These SORT IT programs are fully aligned with TDR standards and protocols. They carry both the TDR and SORT IT logos, reflecting their official endorsement and funding.
- Partner-led courses.
These courses are organized and funded by partner institutions, with oversight from an experienced mentor (or mentors) from the TDR-recognized pool (contact: zachariahr@who.int). Use of TDR logo is not authorized. However, the SORT IT logo can only be used in funding proposals, course briefs and training materials when the following criteria are met.
Criteria for maintaining quality and outcomes in SORT IT Courses
To ensure the quality and impact of SORT IT and adapted SORT IT courses, the following criteria must be met:
- Course Structure
Courses must include at least three of the four modules, based on/or adapted from the SORT IT curriculum. - Milestones and Targets
Progress must be systematically tracked by the implementing partner institution throughout implementation and reported to the SORT IT focal point. Registration in the TDR database is only possible after formal reporting and verification of Milestones 1 and 2 of the SORT IT cycle. Until these milestones are achieved, courses cannot be branded as SORT IT.
Course coordinators may meanwhile, use the following statement in the course briefs or calls for applications:
“This course is structured in line with the SORT IT curriculum and requirements, and liaison with TDR will be maintained to obtain SORT IT recognition after completion of Module 2 of the operational research course.”
- Mentorship
Institutions conducting a SORT IT course for the first time must have an experienced, TDR-accredited SORT IT mentor on-site to ensure quality oversight. - Target Monitoring
The 80–80–80–80 target scores of SORT IT must be monitored and reported. These ensure rigorous quality control—from defining a research question to influencing evidence-informed decision-making. - Administrative Updates
The course coordinator from the implementing partner must provide regular updates to the TDR focal point, according to a standard reporting and archiving template. This should include:
-Participant information and research titles
-Module evaluation scores
-Course performance relative to the 80–80–80–80 targets
-Archives of study protocols, manuscripts, and publications
Contact for Registration
Institutions meeting these criteria should contact Dr. Rony Zachariah (zachariahr@who.int) for formal registration.
Additional notes:
-Final Certification
Final SORT IT certification for a course cycle is granted only after all course milestones have been reported, the rigorous SORT IT processes have been followed, and performance targets have been pursued. Certification is awarded after Module 3 (for three-module courses) or Module 4 (for four-module courses).
-Reappraisal
If the 80-80-80-80 performance criteria are not met, a reappraisal phase may be initiated. Following this, the course may lose its designation as a SORT IT course.
-Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are available to guide institutions in planning and organizing SORT IT courses. These will be provided to interested institutions upon request.
Applications for funding of adapted SORT IT courses
For SORT IT programs seeking funding and aspiring to meet TDR–SORT IT standards, early engagement with TDR is essential. This ensures:
-Oversight of quality and adherence to standards
-Timely decision on eligibility to use the TDR and/or SORT IT logos
When
WHO country offices or WHO collaborative centers are involved, TDR must be
engaged, as it hosts the SORT
IT Secretariat at WHO.
