Operational research to End TB: 2^nd edition of the Union's Guide to operational research

In 2009, The Union developed two new approaches to build operational research capacity in low- and middle-income countries. First, an output-orientated model of training, in which participants learned research skills and simultaneously conducted and published a research study. Second, operational research fellowships were created and persons appointed to national programmes conducted relevant country-wide research. Considerable skills, experience and know-how were thus amassed to enable The Union to develop the 2^nd edition of its Guide to operational research. Here we describe The Union's efforts to promote and create capacity in operational research and present an overview of the Guide's contents.