2. What is Research?
• A systematic collection,
analysis and interpretation of
data to:
•Answer a certain question
•Establish facts
•Solve a problem
•Reach new conclusions
3. CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH
Specific/purposiveness
A good research should have a statement of the
purpose of the study guide in the achievement of the
research objective.
Empirical
Based on observation and measurement of the object
of investigation.
ReplicabilityResults should be supported for again
and again when research is repeated in other similar
circumstances
4. CONT…..
Precision and confidence.
Precision reflects the of the exactitude of the
results based on the sample.
Confidence refers to the probability that our
estimates are correct.
Objectivity
results should be based on facts resulting from
data , not from own subjective and emotional
values.
5. CONT…….
GENERALIZATION
Scope of applicability of research findings. The
wider the range of applicability of solutions
generated by the research the useful more it is.
PARSIMONY : research being scientific does not
mean we have to be complicated. parsimony
refers to the simplicity of explaining the
phenomena(object of investigation) that occurs
and application of solutions to the problem
6. CONT……..
HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS SHOULD BE APPLIED
Researchers should conduct research with high
regard of the respondents privacy and
confidentiality should be assured.
PROBLEM DRIVEN AND NOT TOPIC DRIVEN
A research should be driven by documented
knowledge discrepancies not hearsay.
7. Steps in Planning Research
1. Selection/identification of a Research Problem
2. Proposal Development
3. Ethical Approval
4. Research Administration
5. Report Writing
6. Dissemination of Research Findings
8. Selection of Research Problem
• Problem identification
• Prioritisation of the research problem
• Problem analysis
• Study justification
9. Steps in Proposal Development
1. Identification/selection of research
problem/topic
2. Formulating /statement of a research problem
3. Literature review
4. Formulation of research objectives
5. Research methods
6. Work plan
7. Budget
8. Plan for project administration and utilisation of
results
9. Proposal summary
10. Steps in Problem Identification
• Identification
• Prioritisation
• Analysis
• Justification/Rationale
– Why should it be studied
12. Research Problem Identification
• How do we select a research problem?
– Generally, a broad area is selected
–Narrowed down to a specific one-sentence
statement of the problem
–Considered the most important step;
sometimes challenging
–Needs a lot of time
13. Importance
• Helps in :
– Problem analysis
– Focusing the study
– Formulation of problem statement
14. Types of problems
• Management problem
• Research problem
• Class discussion (5 minutes)
15. Information sources…
1. Personal experience:
– day-to-day personal experience of a public
health problem/situation
2. Practical/work/clinical experience
3. Critical literature appraisal:
– research articles/reports, systematic
reviews, opinion articles, summaries of
clinical issues
16. Information sources….
4. Previous research experience: Past research
often generates more questions
5. Existing theories: theory development and
testing
6. Social or political interest
7. National research/public health priorities
8. National data: Health management
information system
17. Prioritisation
1. Relevance
2. Significance:
– Contributes to the improvement and understanding of science,
educational theory and practice
3. Originality:
– Avoid duplication; every research problem should be new and
unique in itself
4. Current knowledge and knowledge gaps:
– Literature review
5. Clarity:
– unambiguous
18. Prioritisation…
6. Feasibility of the study/Researchable – can be
investigated through the collection and
analysis of data
7. Timeliness (urgency of data needed)
8. Manageable – fits the level of researcher’s
level of research skills, needed resources, and
time restrictions
19. Prioritisation….
9. Interesting – keeps the researcher interested
in it throughout the research process
10. Acceptability of the study
11. Applicability of the results
12. Ethical – does not embarrass or harm participants;
Public Health benefits
20. Research Significance
1. State clearly why this research is important, what the
benefits will be and how your work will contribute to
body of knowledge and science in your field
2. This may include commercial benefits, changes in current
practice, a new perspective on an old issue or other
benefits to the community
3. You need to indicate why it is significant and how it
advances understanding of the issues under discussion
21. Researcher’s attributes
• Selection of a research problem depends on
several factors such as the researcher’s:
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Expertise
• Interest
• Motivation
• Creativity
