Introduction to Research Introduction to Research Methods SupercourseMethods SupercourseFormulating Research Formulating Research Problems, Questions Problems, Questions and Hypotheses and Hypotheses

Introduction to the course Introduction to the course and to your assignmentand to your assignment

This project is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

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Special thank you to workshop organizers and Nazarbayev University for hosting us

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What is this course designed to achieve? Introduce the concept of research methods Describe basic biostatistical methods Introduce trainees to biostatistical software Introduce trainees to publication and research

process Introduce steps needed in research development Introduce the Central Asian Journal of Global

Health (CAJGH)

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Course assignment: Develop a research project Learn the general steps in the research process

from research idea to project implementation Identify a research problem Define research questions, directional and non-

directional hypotheses Identify the best possible research design for your

hypotheses

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Research Defined Research is an organized and

systematic way to find answers to questions

Research is a creative process

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Why is research important to medicine and public health? Knowledge obtained from sound

research is transformed into clinical practice, leading to medical practice that is evidence-based.

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The Research Idea Professional experience Burning questions Literature Professional meetings Discussions

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Criteria for developing a good research question Feasible Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant

Cummings et al. 2001

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Good research question? Feasible

Subjects Resources Manageable Data available?

Interesting Novel

In relation to previous findings Confirm or refute?

New setting, new population

Ethical Social or scientific value Safe

Relevant Advance scientific

knowledge? Influence clinical practice? Impact health policy? Guide future research?

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A Research Question Must Identify

1. The variables under study2. The population being studied3. The testability of the question

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Variables in research Have 2 or more properties or qualities

Age, sex, weight, height

Is one variable related to another? “ Is X related to Y? What is the effect of X on Y?” etc.

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Variables in research Independent

variable: has a presumed effect

on the dependent variable (outcome)

May or may not be manipulated

Dependent variable: Something that varies

with a change in the independent variable

Outcome variable

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Hypothesis Statement about the relationship

between 2 or more variables Converts the question into a statement

that predicts an expected outcome A unit or subset of the research

problem

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Characteristics of hypotheses Declarative statement that identifies the

predicted relationship between 2 or more variables

Testability Based on sound scientific

theory/rationale

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Directional vs. Non-Directional Hypotheses Directional hypothesis

Specifies the direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variables

Non-directional hypothesisShows the existence of a relationship

between variables but no direction is specified

Finding appropriate research design Cohort Cross sectional Case control Clinical trial ?

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Prepare PowerPoint presentaiton 10 minutes long ~10 slides Select 1 presenter from each group Present during the last day Each presentation should include

research area, significance, hypothesis, and rough design of the experiment

Practical applications of this project?

Create your own research project Understand published research papers Understand presentations at scientific

conferences Publish your research!!

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Central Asian Central Asian Journal of Global Journal of Global HealthHealthWelcome!

What is CAJGH Biannual open access journal Focus area is Central Asian Region Peer reviewed Started in April 2012 as a part of USAID

project Distinguished Editorial Advisory board

Questions?

Faina.linkov@gmail.com

2405/07/23