Conducting Research I

Conducting a research (I)

Introduction
Research can be defined as "the systemic search for information & new knowledge, with analysis and interpretation of data to answer certain question or solve a problem".
The daily practice of medicine need the knowledge about who is likely to develop a particular condition and under what circumstances, what is the best treatment, what is the prognosis, and who we can prevent such illness.
Scientific research plays a very important role in our efforts to maintain health and combating diseases. Research helps us create new knowledge and develop proper tools for the use of existing knowledge. Not only does it enable health care providers to diagnose and treat diseases, research also provides evidence for policies and decisions on health and development.
Health care providers must be able to identify persons who are at high risk to reduce that risk. This type of knowledge emerges in many cases from epidemiologic researches.
It is crucial to follow cascading scientific steps when conducting one’s research
Characteristics of research:
It demands a clear statement of the problem.
It requires clear objectives and a plan (it is not aimlessly looking for something in order to come across a solution).
It builds on existing data, using both positive and negative findings.
New data should be systematically collected and analyzed to answer the original research objectives.
Selection of area
Steps of Scientific Research
No need for study

Answers found

Selection of topic

Research hypothesis, goals & objectives

Literature review

No Answers

Crude research question
Refined research question

Confounding

Bias

Study design → Population & sampling → Variables
Ethical issues

Work plan ← Pilot study ← Research tools

↓
Chance

Collection of data → Data management and analysis

(Conclusions and recommendations) Interpretation
Reporting → Intervention

Selection of Research Area: Is based on the following (for the researcher):
Specialty, 2- Interest, 3- Scientific background, 4- Experience

Prioritizing and selecting a research topicCriteria for selecting a research topic:

1. Relevance: The topic you choose should be a priority problem. Questions to be asked include: How large or widespread is the problem? Who is affected? How severe is the problem?
2. Avoidance of duplication: before you decide to carry out a study, it is important that you find out whether the suggested topic has been investigated before, either within the proposed study area or in another area with similar conditions. If the topic has been researched, the results should be reviewed to explore whether major questions that deserve further investigation remain unanswered. If not, another topic should be chosen.

Selection of area in Research Topics: Depends on:

The characteristics of the problem (topic):
Impact on health: Magnitude, Seriousness, Preventability, Curability
Available interventions
The characteristics of the proposed study:
Feasibility
Cost-effectiveness
Applicability of the results

Research question: The investigator must make sure that:

He has a research question
The question is clear and specific
It reflects the objectives of the study
It has no answer by common sense
It has no answer in the LITERATURE
Finding an answer to the question will solve or at least help in solving the problem to be studied.