FAQs

1. How do I register on the research portal?

You will have to contact your regional technical focal point (https://mohcsr.gov.om/registration-focal-point-list/ ) by email. Provide your full name, MoH staff number (for MoH staff) or Civil ID number (for non-MoH staff), institution, specialty/field, mobile number (optional) and a scanned copy of your card (as above) through email for registration.

2. How do I change my account password?

You can change your password from ‘Account details’ upon logging in to your account

3. If I have lost or forgot my password, how do I get a new password?

If you have forgotten your password, kindly visit

https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-login.php?action=lostpassword

• You will have to provide your username (Staff number for MoH staff or Civil ID for non-MoH staff) or Email address. You will obtain a link in your email to reset to the password of your choosing.

4. How do I choose the right form?

You will have to choose the form most applicable to the design of the proposed research study. There is an algorithm designed to be a short guide to aid you in selecting the right form to be filled. It lists the most common types of research and categorises it according to the main study designs. You are encouraged to preview each of the forms so that the most appropriate form that will elicit suitable responses from the study to most of the items in the form can be used.

For More Information:

https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Ministry-of-Health-Research-Proposal-Guideline.pdf

5. If I have a large file or multiple files, how I can save the files in the Attachments section?

You can save the files as one file as a compressed (zipped) folder. You will be able to attach multiple files in any particular section.

• Can I save my proposal?

• Yes, you can. At the bottom of each proposal page, there is “Save” button to save your work & “Save & Close” if you want to save and return it to at a later time

7. How long does it take to review my proposal by the Central Research Committee?

First, the research proposal will be screened to determine if it is complete with all the required documents attached. If the submitted proposal is complete in all respects, the RERAC Administrator will register the proposal.

The RERAC Administrator forwards the completed proposal electronically to the reviewers, the reviewing period by reviewers is around 22 calendar days, and a Committee meeting is usually held at the end of each month.

8. What happens if my proposal status is “Incomplete”?

If the proposal is incomplete, the Administrator will not register the proposal but will alert you as PI about the deficiency and keep the proposal submission process open till the deficiency is corrected and re-submitted. You will then be able to edit the submitted proposal during this status.

9. If I get a disapproval decision, can I submit again?

• Yes, you may submit a new proposal taking into consideration the comments that disapproved the proposal.

10. What is sensitive information?

Sensitive data/material refers to information or material of any kind related to patients/clients, confidential information about staff, data or information about health services or the health system of Ministry of Health, and all such information that are not in the public domain.

For More Information

https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Ministry-of-Health-Research-Proposal-Guideline.pdf  (Page 19 )

11. I am a postgraduate student, what do I have to do?

• You must submit a research proposal for approval before commencing your postgraduate research. You will also need to provide a letter from your Supervisor, Letter from Sponsor, Letter of Endorsement for the Study / Institutional Approval. It is important to bear in mind to allow sufficient time for approval of your research

12. How can I obtain raw data from Ministry of Health?

You can access the raw data accessible to the Centre of Studies & Research subject to providing a detailed plan (research proposal). The plan should include the aim of obtaining this data, the methodology, the type of variables required, the sample size of the sample, the statistical analyses that will be used to obtain new outcomes alongside the previous published reports and research. Following approval of the research proposal, the raw data can be procured.

For More Information:

https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Health-Research-Guideline-Oct-2015.pdf (Page number15)

13. What are the suggested resources for learning about research designs?

Our e-library on the mohcsr website comprises several educational materials and presentations of lectures on research methodology and biostatistics. It is also a useful resource for learning about research designs and which would be the most suitable one to answer your research problem or objective.

For More Information:

https://mohcsr.gov.om/library-category/lectures/