developing a research question 2. developing a...learning objectives by the end of session, students...

Developing a Research Question

Dr. Shiraz Shaikh

Learning Objectives

By the end of session, students will be able to:

• Define research and its importance

• Start thinking about a research question

• Enlist characteristics of a good research question

• Phrase a research question

3

In Scientific terms

• systematic collection

• analysis

• interpretation of data

RESEARCH is

Effects of Public Health Interventions

5

Why do we do Health Research?????

6

Recommended action /decisions on health

We need to do research to:

• To provide the info n Know the magnitude

of the problem

Discover the associated factors

Study the effect/make comparisons

information

How to start thinking: Characteristics of a good research question

Idea/research Question

• Idea’ or a creative thought, may arise

– by observation

– de novo (out of sky)/Curiosity

– more often stems from previous work

– Needs driven

– Opportunity driven

– Profit driven

Critical review of literature is the best source and always

required

• Idea should be continuously refined (think and rethink)

Essential Habits to conceive good Research Questions

• Read the medical literature (Tells you about the gapes)

• Attend Scientific meetings

• Be a team player-ideas come with discussions

• Understand donor’s demand

• Develop specific areas of scientific interest

How to start???

1. Identify your area of interest

eg Vaccination

2. Ask yourself what kind of research question suits your idea

Descriptive

➢ what is the vaccination coverage in the infants

Relational/Comparative

➢ Is the use of BCG vaccine related to decreased number of tuberculosis cases?

➢ Is HIB vaccine more effective than pneumococcal vaccine in reducing the pneumonia?

Areas to think about……..

• Communicable diseases

(New infections/new treatments/new interventions/new vaccines)

• Non-communicable diseases

(new factors/changing behaviors/new treatments/new interventions)

• Child health (health issues, hygiene, nutrition)

• Maternal Health/Reproductive health (ANC, Delivery, PNC, FP)

• Health systems

(Governance/Financing/Services/Resources)

• Environmental and occupational health

(effects of workplace exposures/effects of environmental pollution)

• Mental health

(Stress/substance abuse)

• Injuries/Disaster

(workplace safety/violence/disaster/child labor/child abuse)

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Proposed Topics

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Re

levance

Du

plicatio

n

Feasib

ility

Po

litical A

ccep

tability

Ap

plicab

ility

Co

stEffe

ctiven

ess

Ethics

Total Score

Criteria for a good Research Question

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Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Priority Ratings for Research Questions

How big is the

problem ?

Who is affected?

How severe is

the problem?

Ebola or Neglaria? What is more relevant to us

14

Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n


What is new about your question????

Decided on the basis of Literature Search?

15

Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n

Feasib

ility

Priority Ratings for Research questions

Consider the resourcesthat are required to carryout the project:

1. Can you continue research for 5 years?2. Can you buy a thousand dollar

machine?3. Do you have the expertise to conduct

that research?

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Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n

Feasib

ility

Po

litical

Accep

tab

ility


Research a topic which has the interest and support of the authorities

Generally this criteria applies for large grants?

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Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n

Feasib

ility

Po

litical

Accep

tab

ility

Ap

plic

ab

ility

Priority Ratings for Research questions

Studies whose recommendations are applicable at a local level

18

Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n

Feasib

ility

Po

litical

Accep

tab

ility

Ap

plic

ab

ility

Co

st

Effe

ctiv

en

ess


19

Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n

Feasib

ility

Po

litical

Accep

tab

ility

Ap

plic

ab

ility

Co

st

Effe

ctiv

en

ess

Eth

ics


• Cultural sensitivity must be given careful consideration.• Informed consent ensured•Benefits must outweigh risks

20

Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n

Feasib

ility

Po

litical

Accep

tab

ility

Ap

plic

ab

ility

Co

st

Effe

ctiv

en

ess

Eth

ics

Total

Score


Rating Scale:1= low, 2 = medium, 3 = high

Total Score out of 24

21

Proposed

Topics


Rele

van

ce

Du

plic

atio

n

Feasib

ility

Po

litical

Accep

tab

ility

Ap

plic

ab

ility

Co

st

Effe

ctiv

en

ess

Eth

ics

Total

Score

Complications of

Aids 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 14Smoking & Birth

Weight 3 2 3 2 3 3 3 19High salt and

hypertension 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 20

………….


Phrasing a Research Question

• Clearly state the variable/variables of interest

• Clearly specify the population and place of interest (scale of the study)

Which one is better:

What is the vaccination coverage in children?

What is the vaccination coverage in children under one year of

age in a rural town of Sind

Is HIB vaccine more effective than pneumococcal vaccine?

Is HIB vaccine more effective than pneumococcal vaccine in

reducing pneumonia in children under one year in a rural town of Sind ?

Final thought

• Research is to see what

everyone else has seen

and to think what

nobody else has thought

• Somewhere, something

incredible is waiting to

be known

Individual Home Assignment:

• Think about 3 ideas that you want to work on

• Come up with 3 research questions

GOOD LUCK

developing a research question 2. developing a...learning objectives by the end of session, students...

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