Research capacity for institutional collaboration in implementation research on diseases of poverty

To assess the capacity for research collaboration and implementation research in strengthening networks and institutions in developing countries.

Bibliometric analysis of implementation research on diseases of poverty in developing countries from 2005 to 2010 through systematically searching bibliographic databases. Methods identified publication trends, participating institutions and countries and the cohesion and centrality of networks across diverse thematic clusters.

Implementation research in this field showed a steadily growing trend of networking, although networks are loose and a few institutions show a high degree of centrality. The thematic clusters with greatest cohesion were for tuberculosis and malaria.

The capacity to produce implementation research on diseases of poverty is still low, with the prominence of institutions from developed countries. Wide ranges of collaboration and capacity strengthening strategies have been identified which should be put into effect through increased investments.