Basics of research methodology

1. Research
Methodology
(Introduction, research question,
population and sample)
Presented by-
Dr. Sonal Kale
PG 1st year
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2. Contents
 Research
 Research methodology
 Objectives of research methodology
 Types of research
 Steps in conducting a research
 Research question
 Steps in developing a research question
 FINER criteria
 PICO format
 Hypothesis
 Population and sample
 Conclusion
 References
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3. Research
 Research is a quest for knowledge
through diligent search or investigation or
experimentation aimed at the discovery
and interpretation of new knowledge.
-Health research
methodology, WHO
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4. Research methodology
 Research methodology is a systematic
way to solve a problem. It is a science of
studying how research is to be carried
out.
 The procedure by which researchers go
about their work of describing, explaining
and predicting phenomena.
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5. Objectives of research methodology
 To provide with adequate level of
information to plan, conduct, analyze,
interpret and write up research and
contribute to evidence-based medical
practice.
 To equip with necessary skills to
understand, critically evaluate and
interpret the published medical literature.
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6.  To guide through necessary resources and
resource persons for conducting research.
 To orient to certain skills, literature search
and computer applications.
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7. Types of Research
1. BASIC and APPLIED
2. OBSERVATIONAL and EXPERIMENTAL
3. QUALITATIVE and QUANTITATIVE
4. THEORETICAL and EMPIRICAL
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8.  Basic research-
Basic research is also called fundamental
research. It is a search for knowledge
without a defined goal of utility or purpose.
 Applied research-
Applied research is problem oriented and it is
directed towards a defined and purposeful
end. It is done based on a perceived need
and helps in solving an existing problem.
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9.  Observational research-
We can observe what naturally happens in the
real world without interfering with it.
Eg- study conducted to measure the degree of
dental caries in school relative to age, sex
and socio economic characteristics of
children.
 Experimental research-
We can manipulate some aspect of the
environment and observe its effects.
Eg- Interdental tissue resection: An
experimental study of a surgical technique
which aids in repair of the periodontal tissues
to their original contour and function.
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10.  Qualitative research –
Deals with subjective aspects which are qualitative
or qualities by nature which are difficult to quantify.
Eg- Public perceptions of dental implants: a
qualitative study.
 Quantitative research-
Is based on the measurement of quantity or
amount. It deals with objective aspects.
Eg-Prevalence of dental caries diseases in urban and
rural areas of Punjab.
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11.  Theoretical research-
Is related to some abstract idea or theory. It
is generally used by philosophers and
thinkers to develop new concepts or Re-
interpret the existing ones.
 Empirical research-
Research is that in which experience or
observation alone are the tools of research.
It is data-based research and it can be
further verified by observation or
experimentation.
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12. Steps in conducting a research
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Select the correct tools and techniques of
making measurements and obtaining
required information
Select the sample by proper methods
Calculate the adequate sample size
Ask the correct research question

13. Develop new research question
Interpret the results according to their clinical or
health significance and give recommendations
Analyze the data appropriately, using appropriate
statistical tests
Think and record information on all factors which can
indirectly be associated
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14. Research Question
A research question is a narrow, challenging
question addressing an issue, problem, or
controversy that is answered with a conclusion
based on the analysis and interpretation of
evidence
 Significance of formulating correct research
question- Entire planning, design, conduct and
analysis of the research is dependent on the
question.
 Improper research question-Invalid/
unscientific paper.
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15.  A good research question should specify the
population of interest, be of interest to the
scientific community and potentially to the
public, have clinical relevance and further current
knowledge in the field.
 The research question is the purpose stated in
the form of a question.
 Research question forms the basis of the
hypothesis and study objectives.
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16. Steps for developing a great research
question
1. Ask interesting questions
2. Select the best question for research
3. Transform the research question into a testable
hypothesis
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17. Ask interesting question-
 Researchers should begin to form research
questions by contemplating personal
experiences in practice instead of
contemplating data.
 Questions to consider may include the
following:
Have others faced a similar practice problem?
Is this a routinely observed occurrence?
What circumstances would make the situation
controllable?
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18.  Case studies are reliable sources of
interesting research questions in practice
because the questions arise are-
What makes this an interesting case?
What would it take to generate an alternative
outcome?
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19. 2.Select best research question for research
 A research question is a logical statement that
progresses from what is known or believed to be
true to that which is unknown and requires
validation.
 A research question must be broken down into a
logical series of steps.
Eg- Broader aspect-
What can be done to reduce the amount of medications
that are wasted each year in the United States
Narrowed down to-
What can be done in our institution to reduce the number
of intravenous preparations that are not used before their
expiration date?
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20. FINER criteria for a good research question
F- Feasible
 Adequate number of subjects
 Adequate technical expertise
 Affordable in time and money
 Manageable in scope
I- Interesting
 Getting the answer intrigues investigator,
peers and community
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21. N- Novel
 Confirms, refutes or extends previous
findings
E- Ethical
 Amenable to a study that institutional
review board will approve
R- Relevant
 To scientific knowledge
 To clinical and health policy
 To future research
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22. Format to use in the development of a
specific research question
PICO format —
 Consider the population (P) of interest
 The intervention (I) being studied
 The comparison (C) group (or to what is
the intervention being compared)
 The outcome of interest (O)
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23. 3.Hypothesis
 A hypothesis is a declarative sentence
that predicts the results of a research study based
on existing scientific knowledge and stated
assumptions.
 It is a prediction that answers the research
question. It specifies a relationship between two or
more variables.
Eg- Patients who receive medication counseling will
have greater adherence to the medication regimen.
Variables- medication counseling and adherence.
 It involves a prediction that a program or a
treatment will cause or otherwise be related to a
specified outcome.
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24. Types of hypothesis
1.
 Directional hypothesis
 Non directional hypothesis
2.
 Research hypothesis
 Null hypothesis
3.
 Simple hypothesis
 Complex hypothesis
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25. 1.Directional hypothesis
Is one that specifies not only the existence but
the expected direction of the relationship
between variables.
Eg- Higher the anterior overjet higher the chances
of anterior teeth fracture.
The hypothesis is directional because there is an
explicit prediction that there is a high chance of
anterior teeth fracture in people with high
anterior overjet .
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26. 2.Non directional hypothesis does not
stipulate the direction of the relationship.
Eg -
There is an association between the degree of
anterior overjet and anterior teeth fractures.
The hypothesis predicts that anterior overjet and
anterior teeth fracture are related but they do
not stipulate whether the researcher thinks that
anterior overjet is related to increased or
decreased fracture chances.
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27. 1.Research hypothesis
( also referred to as substantive or scientific
hypothesis):
Are statements of actual expected
relationships between variables and which
indicate researchers true expectations.
Eg-
There is a relationship between daily intake of
refined sugars and DMFT score in children.
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28. 2.Null hypothesis
( statistical hypothesis)
It states that there is no relationship between
the independent variables and dependent
variables.
Eg-
There is no relationship between daily intake of
refined sugars and DMFT score in children.
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29. 1.Simple hypothesis:
A hypothesis can predict the relationship between a
single independent variable and a single dependent
variable.
Eg- The lower the level of hemoglobin the higher is the
risk of infection.
2.Complex hypothesis:
It can predict a relationship between two or more
independent variables or two or more dependent
variables.
Eg- There is a difference in the effect of Duraphat and
Fluorprotector varnishes on the dental caries
incidence.
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30. Population
 Population can be defined as entire group or
whole unit of individuals having similar
characteristics from which the result of an
investigation can be inferred.
 The larger group from which individuals are
selected to participate in a study.
 It is not possible (from a resource perspective)
to study all the members of a population for a
research project. Therefore a sample is chosen
from that population which represents the entire
population.
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31. Sample
 A sample is defined as a group of representatives
selected for a study whose characteristics
exemplify the larger group from which they are
selected.
 If properly selected can, provide meaningful
information about the entire population.
 A sample can be large or small depending on the
research to be done.
 A large sample usually provides most accurate
representation of the population and increases
the accuracy of the data collected.
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32. Ideal requirements of a sample
1. Efficiency- it is the ability of a sample to yield
the desired information.
2. Representativeness- a sample should be
representative of the parent population so that
inferences drawn from the sample can be
generalized to that population with measurable
precision and confidence.
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33. 3. Measurability- the design of the sample should
be such that valid estimates of its variability can
be made, that is, the investigator should be
able to estimate the extent to which findings
from the sample are likely to differ from the
parent population.
4. Size – a sample should be large enough to
minimize sample variability and to allow
estimates of the population characteristics to be
made with measurable precision.
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34. 5. Feasibility- the design should be simple enough
to be carried out in practice.
6. Economic – the sample design should be such
that it should yield the desired information with
appreciable savings in time and cost and with
least sampling error.
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35. Conclusion
 Selection of design should be made on the basis
of the particular hypothesis to be tested with
consideration of current state of knowledge.
 Developing a good research question is the most
important part of the research process. A
research project can fail if the objectives and
hypothesis are poorly focused and
underdeveloped.
 A clear and organized study design leads to
successful results.
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36. References
1. Lipowski EE. Developing great research questions. Am J Health-
Syst Pharm.2008;65 :1667-70
2. Farrugia P, Petrisor BA, Farrokhyar F, Bhandari M. Research
questions, hypotheses and objectives. J can chir. 2010;53:278-
81
3. WHO. Introduction to research. Health research methodology-A
Guide for Training in Research Methods, 2nd edition, 2001;1-10
4. WHO. Research strategies and design. Health research
methodology-A Guide for Training in Research Methods, 2nd
edition, 2001;11-42
5. Geurink KV. Research. Community Oral Health Practice for the
Dental Hygienist, 3rd edition. Elsevier. 2014;198-222
6. Peter S. Research methodology and biostatistics. Essentials of
preventive and community dentistry, 4th edition. Arya
publications. 2009;360-399
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37. Thank you
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