Understanding the concept and importance of the health research system in Palestine: a qualitative study

Table 2 Characteristics of focus group discussion participants

Sector	Age			Sex		Educational level			Years of experience			Total
2 Acad. FGDs	30–40	41–50	> 50	F	M	BA/Dip	MA	PhD	< 10	10–20	> 20	Participants (14)		Institutions (8)
	30–40	41–50	> 50	F	M	BA/Dip	MA	PhD	< 10	10–20	> 20	West Bank FGDs	Gaza Strip FGDs
		7	7	3	11			14	4	6	4	6	8
	Leadership position			D		FP			Associate Professor			Assistant Professor
	Leadership position			1		1			5			7
2 Gov. FGDs	30–40	41–50	> 50	F	M	BA/Dip	MA	PhD	< 10	10–20	> 20	Participants (20)		(18): 4 institutions 14 departments
	30–40	41–50	> 50	F	M	BA/Dip	MA	PhD	< 10	10–20	> 20	West Bank FGDs	Gaza Strip FGDs
	2	8	10	5	15	1	10	9		13	7	12	8
	Leadership position			NCM		GD			D			HD
	Leadership position			1		8			5			5
2 NGO FGDs	30–40	41–50	> 50	F	M	BA/Dip	MA	PhD	< 10	10–20	> 20	Participants (18)		(13): 6 LNGO 7 INGO
	30–40	41–50	> 50	F	M	BA/Dip	MA	PhD	< 10	10–20	> 20	West Bank FGDs	Gaza Strip FGDs
	3	12	3	7	11	3	15	2		8	8	10	8
	Leadership position			ED				PM				SO
	Leadership position			5				8				5

ch.ch.: socio-demographic characteristics
FGDs: focus group discussions
Sectors: Acd: academic, Gov: government, NGOs: includes local and international non-governmental organizations
Sex: F: female, M: male
Education: BA/Dip: bachelor and diploma, MA: master, Ph.D.: doctor of philosophy
Position: D: dean, FP: full professor, NCM: national council member, GD: general director, D: director, HD: head of the department, ED: executive director, PM: programme manager, SO: senior officer

ISSN: 1478-4505