The goal of the Research Fundamentals booklet is to build the research literacy of activists, so they can engage in evidence – based advocacy with:

• an increased understanding of research concepts, processes and results;
• an awareness of the value of research; and
• the ability to use research data to address and inform advocacy priorities.

This booklet is meant to help increase your capacity and comfort with using scientific evidence in informing, supporting and strengthening your activism. We hope to demystify scientific research, provide understandable explanations of some fundamental research concepts, and familiarize you with the language of research. The focus of this booklet is on critical thinking, so there are very few right or wrong answers.