Conducting Research II

Conducting a research (II)

Components of research:
Title of the research
Abstract
Introduction: Background information and Statement of the research problem (Scientific justification for the study) Research objectives
Literature review
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusions and recommendations
References
Annexes

Title: Should provide a brief, informative summary that will attract the target audience
A good title should be accurate, and concise. It should make the central objectives of the study clear to the reader.
Abstract:
Probably the most important part of the paper, since many persons will only read the abstract.
The abstract/summary should be written only after the final draft of the report has been completed. Usually 250 words or less.
Contains a brief summary of each major section of the paper (introduction, methods, results, conclusions).


Introduction:
Typically limited to a few paragraphs contain some relevant background data related to the problem. It should convince the reader about the relevance of the study (magnitude, severity of the problem).
Frames the purpose and public health significance of the research by contrasting the study objective with a brief literature review of current state of knowledge.
The research hypothesis(es) to be investigated / tested should be clearly stated. It should contain a paragraph on what you hoped to achieve.
Identify a gap in knowledge (“Study problem”). Provide key background (scope/nature/magnitude of the gap). Be clear that filling this gap will be useful.
Describe the relevant limitations of previous studies. Emphasize that your approach addresses the limitations of previous studies.
Present your approach to filling the gap (“Study purpose”). Be clear that your approach is new.
Goals and Objectives
The goal (aim) and objectives must be stated at the very beginning of the study, since they will guide the investigator during the process of formulating research questions and hypothesis. They will also help in the prioritization process.
They will enable the reader or consumer of the work to judge whether the investigator had achieved these objectives or not.

Goal: Describes the aim of the work in broad terms

Objectives: These are more specific and relate directly to research question. They may be divided into two types:
Primary objectives (bound to be achieved)
b) Secondary objectives (by the way)
The research objectives should be:
Closely related to the research question
Covering all aspects of the problem
Very specific
Ordered in a logical sequence
Stated in action verbs that could be evaluated e.g. to describe, to identify, to measure, to compare, etc.
Achievable, taking into consideration the available resources and time
Mutually exclusive, with no repetitions or overlaps
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time-bound


Literature Review:
surveys scientific articles, books, medical journals, dissertations and other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work.”

Purpose of Literature Review

Understanding of the subject under review
Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration
Identify new ways to interpret, and shed light on any gaps in, previous research
Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies
Identify areas of prior research to prevent duplication of effort
Place one's original work (in the case of theses or dissertations) in the context of existing literature

Sources of Literature:

Books: remember that books tend to be less up-to-date, as it takes longer for a book to be published than for a journal article. They are still likely to be useful for including in your literature review as they offer a good starting point from which to find more detailed and up-to-date sources of information.
Journal articles: these are good sources, especially for up-to-date information. They are frequently used in literature reviews because they offer a relatively concise, up-to-date format for research. Depending on the publication, these materials may be refereed materials.
Theses and dissertations: But can be difficult to obtain since they are not published, but are generally only available from the library or interlibrary systems
Internet: the fastest-growing source of information is on the Internet. bear in mind that anyone can post information on the Internet so the quality may not be reliable the information you find may be intended for a general audience and so not be suitable for inclusion in your literature review (information for a general audience is usually less detailed).
Conference proceedings: these can be useful in providing the latest research, or research that has not been published. They are also helpful in providing information about people in different research areas, and so can be helpful in tracking down other work by the same researchers.
Government/corporate reports: Many government departments and corporations commission carry out research. Their published findings can provide a useful source of information, depending on your field of study.

Methods: (patients, subjects, materials) to describe how, when, and where you collected, organized and analyzed the data (that are relevant to the purpose of the study)
Hypothesis formation
Hypothesis testing
1. Study Design Descriptive studies Analytical studies Case reportCase serialreportsCross-sectionalstudiesEcological studiesObservational studiesExperimentalstudiesCase-controlstudiesCohort studiesProspectiveRetrospective(historical)RandomizedControlled ClinicaltrialsRandomizedControlled fieldtrialsNon-randomizedexperiments


Put in mind that the choice of any study design based on:
a- Features of exposure & outcome.
b- Time & resources available.
c- Results from previous studies.
d- Gaps in the knowledge that remain to be filled.
2- Study population, sample & sampling methods (random or not)
Time and setting
How many subjects were eligible (eligibility criteria)
How many declined to participate (and why)
6- How many dropped out (follow up)
7- Ethical Considerations
8- Laboratory methods
9- Epidemiologic investigation
10- Definition of variables: Case definition, Exposure variables, Outcome variables
11- Diagnostic Evaluation
12- Statistical analysis (Descriptive and inferential)
Important to:
Describe what you did, not what you found (Results)
Organize into logical subsections the steps you took to collect, organize and analyze the data.
Clearly present and define all analysis variables.
Respect chronology
Describe original methods in detail; otherwise give references.
((Length varies depending on originality of methods used))


Results:
Describe what you found, not what you did (Methods).
Should correspond directly with the stated research hypothesis(es).
Start with text (prose). Write the tables and figures later.
Text descriptions should not be largely redundant with data in tables and figures.
Be brief: a picture (table / figure) is worth a thousand words. Avoid reiterate
Use tables to highlight individual values.
Use figures to highlight trends/relationships.
Provide consistent row or column summation.
Present results in a logical sequence.
Make sure text is consistent with tables / figures

Discussion: to interpret your results and justify your interpretation

Describes what was learned from the study and public health implications of the findings.
Should not be a large re-statement of text from the Results section.
Should not include presentation of “new” findings not presented in Results section.
Emphasize strengths of study and what is new /useful.
Focus on the main results and conclusion.
Be clear about why results support this conclusion.
Maintain connection with purpose of the study.
Contrast the results with similar previous studies, including possible explanations for differences.
Should state to whom the results most likely apply (generalize).
State limitations / difficulties (frankly, without apology). (all studies have some limitations)


Conclusions: In logic sequence from the study.
Recommendations: In logic sequence from the study.
References:
Referencing the research correctly is essential when gathering information from books, journals and Web Pages
The references can be numbered in the sequence in which they appear in the research and then listed in order in the list of references ( Vancouver refer. system).
DO NOT include references in your abstract.
Keep it accurate and provide all the relevant details.
Use a consistent format for your references.

K) Annexes or Appendices: May include:

Interview schedule/ questionnaires and/or other data collection tools).
Informed consent form
Institutional/Ethical approval for the study