DW BUREAU / chandigrah The purpose of all research is to "positively change the lives of people" was emphasised by Dr.Manmeet who is a professor at DCM and SPH, PGIMER and a honorary professorial fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia. A CME was organised on Mixed methods research approach for public health today at DCM&SPH. About 140 participants from across the states joined the sessions which were facilitated by Prof. Peter. A. Newman, at Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto; Dr.VenkatesanChakrapani, Chairperson of Centre for Sexuality and Health Research and Policy (C-SHaRP) in Chennai, and DBT/Wellcome India Alliance Senior Fellow,The Humsafar Trust in Mumbai; and Dr.Jasvir Kaur, Senior Nursing Officer, PGIMER, Chandigarh. A message from Dr. Newman was shared on social media a day before the CME. He said, "The "best" method remains that which most effectively answers ones research question. Increasingly, public health researchers are faced with complex questions that benefit from both quantitative (What percentage of people in a population...? Are women more likely to ... than men?) And qualitative approaches (Why do women...? What unmeasured factors may contribute...?)." He opined that this workshop will help to forge a path in navigating sometimes complex questions and choosing among the many ways in which methods can be creatively and meaningfully combined to advance understanding and evidence-informed public health responses. Dr.Chakrapaninoted that "Mixed methods research is increasingly used by public health researchers to provide robust evidence for policymaking and improving programmes and services. Most researchers have expertise on either quantitative or qualitative research. However, if the research questions or the purpose demands mixed methods research, for fruitful collaborations on mixed methods research projects, it is key to have a good understanding of the basic principles of analysis and presentation of mixed methods research. This workshop aimed to provide that kind of basic knowledge and skills". The participants enthusiastically participated in the CME and related to their own research areas. (editor@dailyworld.in)