Prof Augustine Ankomah

Public health & social sciences

Research Methods Clinic

Practical guidance for Masters and PhD students, other postgraduate researchers and early career professionals—from a research idea through design, analysis, writing and defence.

How to enquireExplore the support available

The clinic

Support at each stage of your research

Bring one focused question to a consultation, or arrange mentoring across several stages of a study.

01 / DEVELOP

Developing a study

  • Turn a broad interest into a feasible topic, rationale, research questions, objectives and hypotheses.
  • Identify a research gap and plan a literature review.
  • Select and defend an appropriate theory, then operationalise a theoretical or conceptual framework.
  • Choose a quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods approach.
02 / DESIGN

Designing and conducting research

  • Select a study population and sampling strategy.
  • Develop questionnaires and operationalise variables; prepare interview tools and focus group guides.
  • Plan recruitment and fieldwork.
  • Address validity, reliability, trustworthiness, ethics and data quality.
03 / INTERPRET

Making sense of findings

  • Prepare an analysis plan before data collection.
  • Interpret statistical results and present tables clearly.
  • Organise qualitative themes, integrate findings and connect them to research questions and existing literature.
04 / COMMUNICATE

Writing, presenting and defending

  • Strengthen proposals, dissertations and manuscripts; develop the discussion, conclusion and recommendations.
  • Respond to supervisors’ and reviewers’ comments.
  • Structure a timed proposal or thesis presentation, explain and justify methods and findings, and practise concise answers for a viva or defence.

Bring your question

What could we work through together?

A clinic session starts with the decision or difficulty in front of you. These are examples of focused questions.

“Is my research question clear and feasible?”

“Which study design and sampling approach can I justify?”

“How can I improve this questionnaire or interview guide?”

“What do my statistical results or qualitative themes mean?”

“How do I respond to my supervisor’s comments?”

“How do I present and defend my methods confidently?”

Your adviser

Prof Augustine Ankomah

Portrait of Professor Augustine Ankomah

Research guidance informed by teaching and practiceUniversity teaching in Ghana and the UK, postgraduate supervision, and leadership in public health programmes.

I am a social demographer and public health specialist. I have taught at the University of Ghana School of Public Health and at universities in the UK, and have supervised many Masters and PhD researchers. My work has also taken me into public health programmes and research outside the classroom.

In a clinic session, I help you examine your choices, see what needs strengthening and explain your methods clearly. The guidance is tailored to your own question and stage of research.

Areas of focus

Public health and the social sciences, including demography, reproductive and maternal health, family planning, HIV prevention, health behaviour and community health.

How it works

From enquiry to a useful next step

Online consultations are available wherever you are. In-person meetings can be discussed separately.

01

Describe your question

Send your topic, current stage and the specific decision or challenge you want help with.

02

Agree on the scope

We identify the suitable session, any short extract to read beforehand, and the fee before booking.

03

Work through it

Discuss the issue, test your reasoning and leave with clearer next steps for your own work.

Session options

Research clinic fees

Fees in Ghana cedis. Online appointments are the standard format.

Individual consultation60 minutes online
GH₵300

One focused question, a short extract reviewed in advance and verbal next steps.

Three-session mentoring packageThree 60-minute appointments
GH₵800

Support across stages of one study; sessions used within three months.

Proposal or thesis defence practiceTwo hours online
GH₵600

A timed practice presentation, questions on methods and findings, and verbal feedback.

Written proposal or chapter reviewScope agreed in advance
Quoted

Written comments on a defined document; price depends on length and depth of review.

Individual sessions are paid for before the appointment. Please give at least 24 hours’ notice to reschedule. In-person sessions and group workshops are quoted separately, including any travel costs.

Common questions

Before you enquire

Who is the clinic for?

Masters and PhD students, other postgraduate researchers and early career professionals working in public health or the social sciences.

Can we meet in person?

Yes, by arrangement. Online sessions are standard; in-person sessions and any travel costs are quoted separately.

Will you review my whole thesis?

Written reviews are scoped and quoted in advance according to the length and depth of feedback needed.

Will you do the research for me?

No. The clinic provides teaching and methodological feedback so you can make and defend your own decisions.

Enquiries

Tell me where you are in your research

Share enough detail to identify the right session. A short relevant extract may be requested before the appointment. Extensive reading, additional revisions and work beyond the agreed scope are quoted separately.

  1. State your programme or professional role and research topic.
  2. Tell me your current stage and one main question.
  3. Indicate the service you would like to book.
Contact Prof AnkomahWhatsApp: 054 952 3616From outside Ghana: +233 54 952 3616akankomah@gmail.com

The clinic offers teaching and methodological feedback. Researchers remain responsible for their own data, analysis and written work.