how to formulate a research question
TRANSCRIPT
How to Formulate a Research Question
Dr. Bassem S. Kurdi, MBBSDemonstrator
Department of PediatricsFaculty of Medicine, KAU
Objectives
What is a research question? Topic vs. RQ vs. Hypothesis Sources for the RQ What makes a good RQ? Common problems in RQs What’s after the RQ References
Objectives
INSPIRATION!
What is a Research Question?
The first methodological step to resolve a scientific uncertainty.
It is an organized and more specific inquisitive statement of the topic under study that can be translated into a research project
“The single most important component of a study... It is the keystone of the entire exercise” (1)
Topic vs. RQ vs. Hypothesis
Interest Topic RQ Hypothesis
Topic vs. RQ vs. Hypothesis
Interest: A general interest in a specific field Topic: A broad idea requiring further analysis
– Could include population, variables, etc.
RQ: Brings a piece of the topic into focus Hypothesis: A tentative explanation that
accounts for a set of facts and can be tested.– Conjectural statement that identifies the predicted
relationship between two or more variables. (2)
Topic vs. RQ vs. Hypothesis
Interest: Endocrinology. Type II DM.
Topic: Vit. D3 and its relationship to Type II DM
RQ: Does administration of 4’000 IU of Vit. D3 daily in addition to Metformin in adults with newly diagnosed T2DM improve glycemic control, compared to Metformin alone?
Hypothesis: Our expected answer for the RQ!
The Hypothesis!
Terms of interest: (3) Null Hypothesis: Ho
– Innocent till proven guilty Alternative Hypothesis: H1
Directional vs. Non-directional Hypothesis
N.B. PICO Clinical Question in EBM
It’s Only the Beginning!
Sources for the RQ
Clinical Experience Mentor Literature Overview Conferences Research Experience
Clinical Experience
Parents of infants with colic use caraway to sooth their babies. A primipara mother asks you if this home remedy a safe and effective treatment for her newborn child.
Mentor
Discuss ideas with an experienced physician in the area of your interest.
Other benefits. Do your homework
Literature Overview
Journals: Pediatrics, NEJM, JAMA, Saudi Medical Journal, etc.
Online Databases: MedLine. PubMed, Google Schoolar
Local university publications database
Don’t re-invent the wheel!
Conferences
Latest updates in the field Abstracts book Meeting the experts
Research Experience
One’s previous research experience Do one and it will lead you to another
What Makes a Good RQ?
FINER Criteria (4) Feasible Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant
FINER: Feasible
Time. Can this be done in a reasonable time frame for me?
Money. Can sufficient funding be collected? Is it too expensive?
Population. Can a large enough sample size be secured?
Skills. Are any special skills required and available?
Resources. Can I secure the required resources?
FINER: Interesting
Is it interesting to me? Is it interesting to others around me? Is it interesting to journal editors?
FINER: Novel
Don’t reinvent the wheel Am I addressing something new? Am I addressing something old in a new
way?
FINER: Ethical
Are there any ethical issues? What are the risks vs. benefits? Will my Local Research Ethics Committee
accept the proposal?
FINER: Relevant
What will it add to the existing body of knowledge?
Will the results be applicable? Will the results be generalizable?
FINER is Fine!
Common Problems
Reinventing the wheel: Review literature thoroughly, give it a new spin
Ethically questionable: Local research committee
Question too broad or too narrow: revise your question. Discuss with a mentor
Unavailable resources: patient records, money, investigations: Allah m3ak!
Unsupportive faculty: find someone else!
What’s Next?
Extensive literature review Revise your RQ and Hypothesis Determine variables and confounding factors Discuss your project with an expert Check local university & college policies Proceed to study design
References
1. Bordage G, Dawson B. Experimental study design and grant writing in eight steps and 28 questions. Med Educ. 2003;37(4):376-85
2. Geri LoBiondo-Wood & Judith Haber. Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice, 7th Edition
3. Steps Statistical Glossary v1.1 http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/index.html
4. Hulley SB, Cummings SR, eds. Designing clinical research. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1998
How to Formulate a Research Question
This presentation can be found at:www.bassemkurdi.com
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