The current revision and online version of the Implementation Research Toolkit, second edition was developed in the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) as a self-learning tool to help researchers and programme implementers systematically identify barriers to effective implementation of health programmes, strategies and interventions and to support the planning and conduct of research aimed at understanding and addressing such bottlenecks. The toolkit evolved from a project initiated by Jane Kengeya-Kayondo and Soumya Swaminathan at TDR.

Development of the first edition was supported by core contributions to TDR. Specific support was also provided by USAID/PEPFAR, and by the Implementation Research Platform, which is based at the World Health Organization and brings together the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research; the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction; the World Health Organization's Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, and Ageing

Boatin Boakye, Sandy Campbell, James Foreit, Dirce Guilhem, Margaret Gyapong, Henry Lucas, Colla Jean MacDonald, Yodi Mahendradhata and Olumide Ogundahunsi contributed materials for the first edition of the toolkit. Guidance and advice on the development of the first edition was provided by a steering committee which included Uche V. Amazigo, Garry Aslanyan, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Block, Kathleen Handley, Linda Kupfer, Wynne E. Norton, Isaac K. Nyamongo, Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Jason B. Smith, , Shenglan Tang and Nhan Tran.

Over 200 researchers, academics, disease control programme managers, policy- makers, health administrators, communication experts and journalists contributed to the development of the first edition of the Toolkit and provided feedback on its use. The latest revision, and development of the online version, was informed by these comments and suggestions.

The following persons reviewed and provided valuable inputs and comments on the revised modules: Uddin Aftab, Jane Alaii, Jaya Banerji, Anne Kamau, James Kiarie, Pascal Launois, Martin Ota, Shagufta Perveen, Narjis Rizvi, Thomas Sukwa, Elango Varalakshmi, Chandra-Mouli Venkatraman, Jeremiah J. Chikovore, OYELADE, Taiwo Adedamola, Grace Adira, Johanna Riha, Desfaits, Anne-Cecile, Phyllis Dako-Gyeke, Issa SANOU, Tuoyo Okorosobo, Anne Kamau, Rodrigo Angerami, Michael James Penkunas, Andrea Winkler, Mojgan Sami, Jorg Heukelbach, Pankaj Dhaka, Rojan Dahal and Inis Communication provided technical support in the layout of the Toolkit and development of the website. Amara Ezeocha coordinated One Health module external review. Olumide Ogundahunsi coordinated the revision and editing of the toolkit with Edward Mberu Kamau.

Review team and contributors to the modules

• Introduction: Olumide Ogundahunsi and Margaret Gyapong.
• Understanding implementation research: Margaret Gyapong, Alison Krentel, Phylis Dako-Gyeke and Olumide Ogundahunsi.
• Proposal development: Tuoyo Okorosobo and Olumide Ogundahunsi.
• Research methods and data management: Alison Krentel and Riris Andono Ahmad.
• Planning and conducting implementation research: Edward Mberu Kamau and Robinah Najjemba.
• Communications and advocacy in implementation research: Tim France, Margaret Gyapong and Olumide Ogundahunsi.
• Integrating implementation research into health systems: Tim France, Alison Krentel, Margaret Gyapong and Edward Mberu Kamau.
• Implementation research case studies: Compiled by Ayat Abu Agla and Robinah Najjemba.
• Developing IR project with an intersectional gender lens: Mariam Otmani del Barrio, Chandani Kharel, Robinah Najjemba and Edward Mberu Kamau.
• Integrating a One Health approach into Implementation research: Carsten Richter, Edward Mberu Kamau, Bernadette Ramirez, Bruce Wilcox and Corrie Fairweather-Mills.

This revision and online version of the Toolkit was developed in TDR under the aegis of the Access and Delivery Project (ADP). The ADP collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), TDR and PATH aims at assisting low- and middle-income countries enhance their capacity to access, deliver and introduce new health technologies for tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases. The ADP initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Japan.

Responsibility for the views expressed and for any errors of fact or judgment rests with Olumide Ogundahunsi, Edward Mberu Kamau, Alison Krentel, Phylis Dako- Gyeke, Tuoyo Okorosobo, Riris Andono Ahmad, Robinah Najjemba, Tim France, Ayat Abu Agla, Mariam Otmani del Barrio, Chandani Kharel, Carsten Richter, Bernadette Ramirez and Bruce Wilcox the editors and authors of the revised toolkit.