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Lecture 2_ Research Problem

The document outlines an eight-step model for conducting health research, which includes formulating a research problem, conceptualizing a research design, constructing data collection instruments, selecting a sample, writing a research proposal, collecting data, processing data, and writing a research report. Each step is detailed with considerations for planning, execution, and analysis to ensure valid and reliable findings. The document emphasizes the importance of a well-structured proposal and a realistic work plan to guide the research process.

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badeerubaid2015
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10 views

Lecture 2_ Research Problem

The document outlines an eight-step model for conducting health research, which includes formulating a research problem, conceptualizing a research design, constructing data collection instruments, selecting a sample, writing a research proposal, collecting data, processing data, and writing a research report. Each step is detailed with considerations for planning, execution, and analysis to ensure valid and reliable findings. The document emphasizes the importance of a well-structured proposal and a realistic work plan to guide the research process.

Uploaded by

badeerubaid2015
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 26

HEALTH RESEARCH

Research Process

Dr.Ahmed Al-Shahethi
MBBS, MPH, FETP, PhD
Conten
t Eight step model
 Formulate a research problem
 Conceptualise a research design
 Construct instrument for data
collection
 Select a sample
 Write a research proposal
 Collect the data
 Process the data
 Writing a research report
References:

Kuhlthau, Eisenberg/Berkowitz, Irving, and Pitts/


Stripling
Stage
2
Stage
1

Stage
3

Stage
4
Research
process
 Formulates reasonable questions related to
the problem
 Locates information from a variety of
resources
 Identifies and seeks additional materials
 Reads to find additional information related
to an investigation
 Engages in self-directed research
investigations
 Expresses interest in replicating the
investigations of others
 Summarizes information to demonstrate
understanding of facts
The general steps in
research:
Understand the nature of problem to be studied
and identify the related area of knowledge.
 Reviewing literature to understand how others
have approached or dealt with the problem.
 Collecting data in an organized and controlled
manner so as to arrive at valid decisions.
 Analyzing data appropriate to the problem.
 Drawing conclusions and making generalizations.
Planning a
study
 Reasons for doing the study
Own interest
degree
Professional requirement/ promotion
 Based on discussion
 Reading
 Budget
 Writing of research proposal – blueprint of
the study
Step 1: Formulating a research
problem
 The first and most important step
 Identifies your destination
 It tells anyone what you want to do
 The more specific and clear the better
 Need to evaluate the research problem based
on your
resources and your supervisor’s expertise and
knowledge, your statistical capabilities
Step 2: Conceptualising the research
design
 Main function of a research design is to
explain how you will find your answers to
your research questions
 Sets the logic of your inquiry
 Should include
 the types of study design,
 the logical arrangements propose to undertake
 Measurement procedures
 Sampling
 Frame of analysis
 Time frame
Step 2: Conceptualising the
research design
 Very crucial
 For valid findings, comparisons and
conclusions
 The design need to be valid, workable and
manageable
 Need to have strong reasons for selecting a
particular study design
 Need to know the strength, weaknesses and
limitations
Step 3: Constructing an instrument
for data collection
 ‘research tool’
 Eg observations,interviews,
questionnaire,
 Need to decide how to collect the data
 Construct the research tool
 New tool eg questionaire – validity and
reliability
 If using secondary data need a form to
extract the required information
 Field testing/ pre-testing is important
Step 4: Selecting a
sample
 Accuracy depends on the way you select the
sample
 Objective of sampling design –to minimise
the gap in values between the samples and
those prevalent in the population
 Random/non random/mixed sampling
 Need to know the strength, weaknesses and
limitations of each
Step 5 : Writing a research
proposal
 Put together what has been gathered
 Develop an overall plan about the research
problem and how you are planning to investigate.
 Main function is to detail the operational plan
 Requirements vary with institutions
What is a research
proposal
 An overall plan, scheme, structure and strategy
designed to get the answers to your research
questions or problems in your research project
 It should answer
 What you are proposing to do
 How you plan to proceed
 Why you selected the proposed strategy
Writing A Research
Proposal
 Must be written with careful planning, care
and systemically to avoid ambiguity or
misunderstandings
 Proposal writing
 To assist in your research process
 Helpful when you are writing your final report
 Useful reference
 Convince authorities that your study is
worthwhile doing, valid, appropriate and
workable
Content of
proposal
 Title/authors/contact of main
author
 Main body
 Table of content
 Chapter 1: Introduction
 Chapter 2: Literature Review
 Chapter 3: Materials and
methods
 Organization
 Gantt Chart
 Budget
 Problems and limitations
Work
plan
 The tasks to be performed;
 The dates each task should begin and be
completed;
 Research team, research assistants and
support staff (drivers, typists) assigned to the
tasks
 Person-days required by research team
members, research assistants and support
staff (The number of person-days equals the
number of working days per person)
Time frame of a study (Gantt
Chart)
Task/month J F M A M J
Proposal writing
Develop questionnaire or
purchasing consumables
Data collection
Data analysis
Report writing
Presentation of report
What factors should be kept in mind
when preparing a work plan?

 It should be simple, realistic, and easily understood by


those directly involved.
 It should cover the preparatory and the implementation
phases of the project, as well as data analysis,
reporting, dissemination and utilisation of results.
 The activities covered should include training, technical
or research
tasks; administrative, secretarial and other support
tasks.
 The realities of local customs (local holidays, festivals)
and working hours should be considered, when
preparing the work plan.
 Also seasonal changes and their effect on travel, work
habits, and on the topic you are studying (such as
incidence of disease or nutritional status), should be
kept in mind as the schedule is planned.
Budge
t Identify major categories for a budget.

 Make reasonable estimates of the expenses in
various budget categories.
 List various ways a budget can be reduced, if
necessary, without substantially damaging a
project.
 Prepare a realistic and appropriate budget for
the project proposal being developed
Step 6: Collecting
data
 Collect data from which can draw inferences and
conclusions
Step 7: Processing
data
 How you analyse the information collected
depends on
 Type of information – descriptive,
quantitative, qualitative or attitudinal
 The way you want to write your report :
quantitative or qualitative
 Report is descriptive –
 Quantitative analysis – need to do statistical
analysis
Step 8: Writing a research
report
 Last, most difficult step
 Informs the world what you have done, what
is found and conclusions from the study
 If you are clear about the whole process, you
will also be clear about what you want to
write
 Report needs an academic style, chapters
Summar
y Overview of the research

process
 8 steps
Reference
s
 Ranjit Kumar. Research methodology A step-by-
step guide for beginners. Sage publications

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