Research Questions

By:Dr.Awatif AlamAssociate Professor Department of family &community Medicine , KSU

Background to Academic Project:

- A strong research base is as fundamental to general practice, as to any academic discipline.

- Research and education are not different kinds of academic activity but complementary ,

( the two sides of one coin).

“ Research is organized curiosity ” - Curiosity involves asking questions; -If others do not know the answers,

research is needed.

Background to Academic Project:

Education in which the answers are not based on research is not countable.

The advance of general practice as an academic discipline depends on the ability to integrate research and education in the pursuit of excellence in clinical care.

The specific project goals are as follows:

1- To stimulate creativity & original thought based on questions by the residents during practice.

2- To learn fundamentals of critical appraisal while reviewing the literature.

3- To develop the ability & initiate skills to continue asking & answering questions that are important & relevant.

4- To communicate results clearly to others.

DEFINING A GOOD QUESTION:

Research is organized curiosity. Questions arise from interaction with

patients & can be generated by clinicians in the field.

Research can be incorporated into the usual process of care , and can actually assist the physician in obtaining an orderly history.

The essential ingredient for any study is a well-defined research question.

QUALITIES OF A “GOOD” QUESTION?

1-Interesting:- select a topic of interest. -find someone interested in the topic 2-Important/Relevant/Worthwhile/ Sensible - important enough to be worth answering - related to experiences that are alive - important to individuals/groups - the scope of the research& the sophistication of the design depends on the uses to which the results will be put 3-Answerable/Feasible/Fundable/Ethical

Criteria of research questions:

- Reflect the theoretical rationale on which the study is based

- Specify the sample/population to be studied

- Refer to the manoeuvre, exposure or behavior under investigation

- Specify the primary outcome of interest and preferably other important outcomes

Stages of an investigation:

1- Preliminary steps: a . Clarifying the purpose. b . Formulating the topic. 2- Planning. 3- Preparing for data collection. 4- Collecting the data. 5- Processing the data.

6- Interpreting the results. 7- Writing a report.

The Planning Phase:-1. Formulation of study OBJECTIVES.2. Planning of methods: a. Study population: - Selection & definition. - Sampling. - Size. b. Variables: - Selection. - Definition. - Scales of measurement. c. Methods of collecting data. d. Methods of recording &

processing.

The PLANNING phase:-

Formulation of objectives: - investigators should know WHY? study is undertaken.

- Proceed to details of study objectives. i.e. what “K” would the study yield?

- Such details will further determine the methods to be used.

PLAN THE METHODS:-

1- Study population: - Whom is it proposed to

study ?

- Will a sample be used ?

- How will sampling be used ?

- What will be the sample size ?

2 . Variables to be studied:-

- What characteristics will be measured?

- How will the variables be defined?

- What scales of measurements will be used ?

3. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION:-

- direct observation ?

- documentary sources ?

- interviews ?

- self- administered questionnaires ?

“What are the detailed procedures and questions to be used ?”

4. Methods of recording and processing:-

- How will the data be recorded ? - What data-processing techniques will be used ?

- What is the analysis plan ?

WORKSHEET FOR DEFINING A QUESTION : 1-State the general research question/project

topic. 2-What are your objectives in doing this project ? 3-What do you hope to achieve by doing this project ? What will you do with the end product ? 4-Estimate the feasibility of conducting the project

by comparing the resources needed with those available. “ BE REALISTIC “

“ Identify potential collaborates/ resources/ personnel .”

4 . What methods are you planning to use?

a) Does this study/project pertain to a particular population group?

If yes, define the population to be studied.

b) Define the period of time for the study/project. (Create a time-line). c) Select the variables/components to be

measured/ described/reviewed.

d) Change the nonspecific variables/components to specific.

e) Determine what you want to know about each of these components/variables.

“Example of refining a research Question”:

1. General research question: What is the role of physician in disease

prevention & health promotion? 2. Population to be studied: -all pts. attending a particular practice? -only new pts. attending over over 6/12 m.?

3. Study period: -2 wks., 6 wks., 6 months ? What is meaningful & feasible ?

4. Variables to be measured / described:

5. Refined Research Questions:

a-What lifestyle issues do adolescent pts. attending a family practice clinic in an urban setting expect to discuss with their physician?

b-What do pts. attending a suburban hospital expect in terms of frequency & composition, regarding regular health check –ups?

Cont. example refining ?:

5. Refined Research Questions:

c- What do adolescents know, and what do they need to know, about the prevention of STDs.?

- What educational materials are available/ should be available? - How are they being used? - How effective are they in terms of changing

practices?

d-What is the physician’s role in community/public health promotion vs individual patient health promotion?

-What are the physician’s ethical responsibilities regarding HIV ve’+ patients ?

“ If you do not know where you’re going , it

is difficult to select a suitable means for getting there” .

and in fact “ If you are not sure where you are going ,

you are liable to end up some place else”.