Lecture 1. Introduction of research
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like337 views
This document provides definitions and explanations of key concepts in research such as research, research questions, hypotheses, and the FINER criteria for developing good research questions. It defines research as a systematic investigative process to increase knowledge. It explains that a research question focuses the study and determines the methodology. Hypotheses make testable predictions about the relationship between variables. The FINER criteria (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant) provide a framework for formulating strong research questions.
Lecture 1. Introduction of research
- 1. RESEARCH Prof. Dr. Sunil Natha Mhaske Dean Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation’s Medical College, Ahmednagar
- 3. Introduction • Research word is derived from Middle French "recherche“ • which means "to go about seeking“ • earliest record of the term research was in 1577. • Research = Re + Search. i.e. search after search and search.
- 4. Definitions of research • Research is systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise current knowledge by discovering new facts. • Research is systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. • Research is a careful, systematic and objective investigation conducted to obtain valid facts, draw conclusions and established principles regarding an identifiable problem in some field of knowledge. (Clarke and Clarke) • Research is process of a systematic and in-depth study or search of any particular topic, subject or area of investigation, involving collection, compilation, presentation and interpretation of relevant details or data. • Research is essentially a state of mind - a friendly, welcoming attitude towards change. Research for practical people as teachers, supervisors, etc should arise out of the desire to do things better. (Madhavi Shah) • Research is systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. (English oxford dictionary)
- 5. Definitions of research • Research is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes. (Western Sydney University) • Research is detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. (Cambridge dictionary) • Research is a careful enquiry or examination in seeking facts or principals, a diligent investigation to ascertain something. (Clifford woody) • Research is serious study of a subject that is intended to discover new facts or test ideas. (Longman Dictionary of contemporary English) • Research is a systematic, formal, rigorous and precise process employed to gain solutions to problems or to discover and interpret new facts and relationships. (Waltz and Bansell)
- 6. Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar- (21 February 1894 – 1 January 1955) •was an Indian colloid chemist, academic and scientific administrator. •first director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR •"father of research laboratories" in India. Vasant Ramji Khanolkar- (13 April 1895 – 29 October 1978) •First pathologist in India. •Major contributions to the epidemiology and understanding of cancer, blood groups, and leprosy. •"Father of medical research in India." •Received Padma Bhushan in 1955 from Government of India for his distinguished service to humanity.
- 8. Research Question • A research question is the fundamental core of a research project, study, or review of literature. • It focuses the study, determines the methodology, and guides all stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting. • Research will answer the question posed. • Answer to the research question is the thesis statement.
- 9. Research Question… • Choosing a research question is the central element of both quantitative and qualitative research. • Makes the theoretical assumptions in the framework more explicit. • Indicates what the researcher wants to know most and first. • When the research is complete and the researcher knows the (probable) answer to the research question, writing up can begin.
- 10. Research Question… • Research questions help writers focus their research by providing a path through the research and writing process. • Developing a good research question is one of the first critical steps in the research process. • Research question should be a clear, focused question that summarizes the issue that the researcher will investigate.
- 11. Research Question… Purpose- • It determines where and what kind of research the writer will be looking for. • It identifies the specific objectives the study or paper.
- 12. Research Question… Research question should be: • Clear • Complex • Focused • Arguable • Concise.
- 13. Research Question… Steps to developing a research question: • Choose an interesting general topic. • Do some preliminary research on your general topic. • Consider your audience. • Start asking questions. • Evaluate your question. - your research question should be clear and focused • Begin your research
- 14. Research Question… Making of Good Research Question: • Researchers should begin by identifying a broader subject of interest. • The next step is to do preliminary research on the general topic to find out what research has already been done and what literature already exists • Then begin to narrow the topic by asking open-ended "how" and "why" questions • Finally, evaluate the question by using the following list of guidelines: – Is the research question one that is of interest to the researcher and to others? – Is the research question researchable? – Is the research question measureable – Is the research question too broad or too narrow?
- 15. Research Question… Good words for research questions- • How • Generate • Describe • Outline • What • Identify • Meaning Bad words for research questions- • Relate • Effect • Impact • Cause • Influence
- 16. Research Question… Types of Research Questions- 1. Descriptive Question- describes the variables which you are measuring i.e. Quantifies the variables. E.g. "How much?", "How often?", "What percentage?", and "What proportion?“ Question: How many calories do Indians consume per day? Variable: Daily calorific intake Group: Indians 2. Comparative questions- examines the differences between two or more groups on one or more dependent variables. e.g. "What is the difference in?" Question: What is the difference in the daily calorific intake of Indians men and women? Dependent variable: Daily calorific intake Groups: 1. Indian men, 2. Indian women
- 17. Research Question… 3. Relationship/association question- causal relationships, associations, trends and/or interactions amo ngst two or more variables on one or more groups. "What is the relationship between or amongst" • Question: What is the relationship between gender and attitudes towards music amongst adolescents? • Dependent variable: Attitudes towards music. • Independent variable: Gender • Group: Adolescents
- 18. Research Question… Type of RQ and study design- Descriptive Descriptive qualitative Comparative Analytical experimental Association Analytical experimental
- 19. Hypothesis • Hypothesis is a critical part of any scientific exploration. • It represents what researchers expect to find in a study or experiment. • Hypothesis is generated via a number of means, but is usually the result of a process of inductive reasoning where observations lead to the formation of a theory. • Scientists then use a large battery of deductive methods to arrive at a hypothesis that is testable, falsifiable and realistic.
- 20. Hypothesis… • Hypothesis must be testable, taking into account current knowledge and techniques and be realistic. • Hypothesis must be verifiable by statistical and analytical means, to allow a verification or falsification. • A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. • It is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in a study.
- 21. Hypothesis… • Hypothesis is never proved and it is better practice to use the terms ‘supported’ or ‘verified’. • When the hypothesis is unsupported by the research, this does not mean that the research is without value. • Hypothesis is an integral part of analytical and experimental studies. • Hypothesis may not be required in descriptive studies. (Hypothesis generating studies) • Hypothesis is usually derived from research question. • The research hypothesis is often also called H1and opposes the current view, called the null hypothesis (H0).
- 22. Hypothesis… Hypothesis should- • Be written in clear and concise in language • Have both an independent and dependent variable • Be falsifiable – is it possible to prove or disprove the statement? • Make a prediction or speculate on an outcome • Be practicable – can you measure the variables in question? • Hypothesize about a proposed relationship between two variables, or an intervention into this relationship
- 23. Hypothesis… Types- 1. Directional hypothesis- direction of relationship mentioned as positive E.g. what is the relationship between weight and height in adults? Hypothesis- there is positive relationship between height and weight in adults. 2. Non directional hypothesis- it does not mention direction of relationship E.g.-what is the difference in daily caloric intake of male and female medical students of medical college? Hypothesis- there is difference in daily caloric intake of male and female medical students of medical college.
- 24. 3. Simple hypothesis- when RQ deals with only one dependent and one independent variables. E.g.-what is the difference in daily caloric intake of male and female medical students of medical college? 4. Complex type hypothesis- RQ contains more than one variable and /or more than one population group. 5. Null hypothesis- the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations, any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error. I.e. no statistical significance exists in a set of given observations.
- 25. FINER Criteria FINER mnemonic is a framework used for formulating research questions (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant).
- 26. FINER Criteria… FINER –Feasible: • Focuses on time, scope, resources, expertise, and funding • researchers are taking a research project that can actually be completed. • Feasible research questions can be answered. • Researchers have access to a large enough pool of participants to sample from to conduct meaningful research. • Without a large enough sample size, statistical power will decrease, meaning that researchers will be less likely to detect significant treatment effects.
- 27. FINER Criteria… FINER –interesting: • "I" represents intrinsic and extrinsic interest in answering a research question • intrinsic motivation. • interesting research questions that ignite your passion! • Opinions and contributions of your colleagues plays an important role in writing interesting research questions. • Research is always a collaborative effort and should not be conducted in isolation. • Interesting research questions tend to attract other motivated researchers naturally.
- 28. FINER Criteria… FINER - Novel • generating new evidence for the current empirical literature • Ask what "gap" in the existing literature will your research question fill? • Researcher must master the literature to know what has been done in the past. • Does not mean that researchers cannot replicate, verbatim, the methods of previously published studies. • Findings of published studies are supposed to be tested in different populations and different situations in order to generate more validity for the clinical evidence. • To measure for different predictor, confounding, clinical, etiological, demographic, or outcome variables that have not been assessed in the current literature. • Secondary, tertiary, and ancillary questions also play a role in meeting "N" criteria • Novel research questions can come from finding various demographic, clinical, confounding, and prognostic variables in the existing literature and adding them to a research study.
- 29. FINER Criteria… FINER-Ethical: • Focuses on asking an ethical research question • Absolute necessity when conducting empirical research. • An Institutional Review Board (IRB) must review any proposed study involving human beings before it is undertaken. • Institutional Review Board approval MUST be obtained before conducting research • Protocols and methods must be presented in a standardized format for review by a board of experts across a wide range of specialties. • Experimental studies and any study where something is done to human beings or animals will ALWAYS require a full-board IRB review. • Any deviations from this original protocol must be approved before implementing ANYTHING new into a research study or experiment. • Confidentiality and anonymity of participants be upheld
- 30. FINER Criteria… FINER-relevance • "R" represents the clinical relevance of a research question • "R" answers the all-encompassing, "So, what?" question. • influences clinical practice, change protocols, and improve upon patient outcomes. • Relevant research questions leads to quality improvement, more precision and accuracy in treatment effects, and make a meaningful contribution to a given body of knowledge. • Relevant research questions drive future research! • study influences current clinical practice standards in a meaningful way