How to make it work: a framework for rapid research to inform evidence-based decision –making about the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Evidence- based decision making about the implementation of online learning in medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for decision-makers since it is a time of rapid change. We present a new framework that offers a potential highly useful response to meet this challenge. Our proposed framework for rapid research of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic recognises the challenge of understanding the complexity of the socio-technical system in which the online learning is implemented, including the behaviour change of individuals in the system and the system’s absorptive capacity. The framework provides a structured approach for rapid research to understand the complexity of the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend that rapid research to inform decision-making about the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic should focus on early identification of the needs of the decision-makers and the use of high quality rapid research approaches to provide relevant and timely information about context, processes and outcomes.