2. Research Proposal A topic of Biostatistics

Research Proposal A topic of biostatistics for Medical Students

1. Concepts and Terminology of Science and Research Reality What is Reality?

2. In everyday usage, reality means “the state of things as they actually exist” In its widest sense, Reality includes everything that is, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible

3. “The object of knowledge is what exists and its function to know about reality”. (Plato)

4. Phenomenon Any occurrence that is observable

5. Levels or gradation to the nature and conception of reality Phenomenological Reality Truth Fact Axiom

6. Reality as seen by one and only one individual is called Phenomenological Reality Truth is Consensus Reality . Subjective A Fact is something that can be verified according to an established standard of evaluation. Objective  

7. an Axiom or postulate is a proposition that is not proved or demonstrated but considered to be self evident Common postulates   Things which are equal to the same thing are also equal to one another. If equals be added to equals, the wholes are equal. If equals be subtracted from equals, the remainders are equal. The whole is greater than the part.

8. The Research Process A Framework for writing a Research Proposal Adapted from International Development Research Center ( IDRC) HSR Methods Modules

9. Questions you must ask` Steps you will take Important elements of each step Statement of the research problem Literature review Formulation of research objectives Research Methodology/Design Work Plan Budget What is the problem & why should it be studied? problem identification prioritization, Analysis justification What information is available? literature and other available information What do we hope to achieve? general and specific objectives, hypotheses How are we going to achieve our objectives? variables types of study data collection tech. sampling Data Process. & anal. ethical considerations Who will do what, and when? Human resources Timetable What resources do we need to carry out the study? material support and equipment, money

10. Research Problem List potential problems for research Determine which of these are research problems Select a problem for study Analyse the selected problem Prepare a problem statement

11. Criteria for selecting a research topic Relevance Avoidance of duplication Urgency of data needed (timeliness) Political acceptability of study Feasibility of study Applicability of results Ethical acceptability

12. REVIEW OF AVAILABLE LITERATURE AND INFORMATION Why is it important to review already available information ?   It prevents you from duplicating work that has been done before. It helps you to learn from the experience of others on the problem you want to study. contd

13. It helps in refining your statement of the problem. It helps you to become more familiar with the various research approaches that might be used in your study. It should provide you with convincing arguments for why your particular research project is needed. Helps you become an expert on the subject  

14. Sources of Information  Individuals, groups, and organisations ; Published information (books, articles, indexes, abstract journals); and Unpublished information (other research proposals in related fields, reports, records, computer data bases)

15. FORMULATION OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The objectives of a research project summarise what is to be achieved by the study. General objective: The general objective of a study states what researchers expect to achieve by the study in general terms.

16. Specific objectives: A general objective broken into smaller, logically connected actions. They should specify what you will do in your study, where and for what purpose.

17. How should you state your objectives? Cover the different aspects of the problem and its contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence; Phrase the actions in operational terms, specifying exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose;

18. Make sure they are realistic considering local conditions; and Use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated.

19. SMART objectives are   S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R ealistic, and  Time -related.

20. Research Methods/Design Methods and activities for achieving the research objectives

21. DATA COLLECTION Data collection is a crucial stage in the planning and implementation of a study. If the data collection has been superficial, biased or incomplete, data analysis becomes difficult, and the research report will be of poor quality.

22. Data Collection Techniques Depending on the type of study, different data-collection techniques may be used. In HR studies a number of different techniques maybe combined and the problem maybe looked at from different perspectives (triangulation).

23. The various data collection techniques used are: Using available information Observing Interviewing (face-to-face) Administering written questionnaires Focus group discussions Projective techniques, mapping, scaling

24. Data collection techniques and tools

25. Work Plan A WORK PLAN is a schedule, chart or graph that summarises the different components of a research project and how they will be implemented in a coherent way within a specific time-span.

26. It includes:   The tasks to be performed; When and where the tasks will be performed; and Who will perform the tasks and the time each person will spend on them.

27. What factors should be kept in mind when preparing a work plan? It should be simple, realistic, and easily understood It should cover the preparatory and the implementation phases of the project, as well as data analysis, reporting, dissemination and utilisation of results.

28. The activities covered should include training, technical or research tasks; administrative, secretarial and other support tasks The realities of local customs (local holidays, festivals) and working hours should be considered Also seasonal changes and their effect on travel, work habits, and on the topic you are studying (such as incidence of disease or nutritional status),

29. The GANTT Chart A GANTT chart is a planning tool that depicts graphically the order in which various tasks must be completed and the duration of each activity. The GANTT chart shows the following: the tasks to be performed; who is responsible for each task; and the time each task is expected to take.

30. Budget Preparation The work plan is the starting point for developing your budget. Specify, for each activity in the work plan, what resources are required. Determine for each resource needed the unit cost and the total cost.

31. Why do we need to design a budget? A detailed budget will help you to identify which resources are already available and which additional resources may be required . The process of budget design will encourage you to consider aspects of the work plan you have not thought about before and will serve as a useful reminder of activities planned, as your research gets underway.

32. Budget justification It is not sufficient to present a budget without explanation. The budget justification follows the budget as an explanatory note justifying briefly, in the context of the proposal, why the various items in the budget are required.