· Study design: Descriptive (e.g. cross-sectional surveys), Analytic (e.g. cohort and case-control), Experimental strategies (e.g. clinical and preventive trials).
· Study population, Selection Criteria, Sample Selection and Size, Sampling method.
· Study Setting.
· Data Collection Procedures, data collection tools (e.g. questionnaire or interview schedule, clinical examination, laboratory tests, screening procedures, records, etc.).
· Plan of Data Processing and Analysis: This should include the plan for processing and coding data, either by manual sorting, machine sorting, or computer programme, and choice of statistical methods to be applied to each hypothesis.
· Ethical Considerations: e.g. Ethical approval, Informed consent form.
· Pre-Testing the methodology (Pilot Study): It may be possible to pre-test:

The reactions of respondents to the research procedures and to questions related to sensitive issues.
The appropriateness of study type and research tools selected for the purpose of the study.
The appropriateness of format and wording of questionnaires and interview schedules and the accuracy of the translations.
The time needed to carry out interviews, observations or measurements.
The feasibility of the designed sampling procedures.
The feasibility of the designed procedures for data processing and analysis.