COM 302- THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.pptx

Fundamentals of scientific research

The fundamentals of scientific research include:

1. *Objectivity*: Researchers should remain unbiased and impartial.

2. *Systematic observation*: Collecting data through careful observation and measurement.

3. *Empiricism*: Relying on evidence from sensory experience and observation.

4. *Skepticism*: Questioning assumptions and findings.

5. *Repeatability*: Ensuring experiments can be replicated.

6. *Peer review*: Submitting findings for critique by other experts.

7. *Formulation of hypotheses*: Developing testable explanations.

8. *Testing and experimentation*: Validating hypotheses through experimentation.

9. *Data analysis and interpretation*: Drawing conclusions from data.

10. *Communication*: Sharing findings through clear and concise reporting.

11. *Ethics*: Adhering to principles of integrity, honesty, and respect.

12. *Curiosity*: Embracing a desire to learn and explore.

These fundamentals guide researchers in various scientific fields, promoting rigor, validity, and reliability in their work.

1. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Omisore Akinlolu G, MB.Ch.B , MPH, FWACP

2. OUTLINE General Introduction The science of Research (Scientific Method) The Research Process Types and roles of Research Status and Problems of Research in developing countries. Problem identification in Research- Choosing a researchable topic.

3. WHAT MAKES RESEARCH SCIENTIFIC? Research , in general has to do with an enquiry into the unknown. It is the search for solutions to problems or answer to questions. Many activities of the individual, can be described as research. When research employs a systematic approach – the scientific method – it is said to be scientific research . Every field of human endeavour involves research but not in all fields is the scientific method employed .

4. SCIENCE AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD There are hundreds of Scientific fields and disciplines Broadly can be classified into the Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and the Social Sciences. [Can you give examples of each?] They all share a fundamental governing principle This principle distinguishes science as a science &is what’s referred to as “The Scientific Method ”.

5. The Scientific Method A sequence of steps for systematically analyzing scientific questions ; ……… D esigning and executing research to answer those questions, ……….. And producing reproducible results . The method is expressed in the scientific research that constantly adds new knowledge & discoveries to the various realms and endeavors of the sciences

6. The importance of the Scientific method Rigid and provable methods Reproducibility Aims for improvement/ addition The “scientific method” attempts to minimize the influence of the researchers' bias on the outcome of an experiment . Bias may come by the researcher - - having a preference for one outcome or another ab initio, - ignoring or ruling out data which do not support the hypothesis.

7. 8 Characteristics of Scientific Research Systematic – plan, identify, design, collect data, evaluate. (Sequential steps) Logical – examine procedures to evaluate conclusions Empirical – decisions are based on data (observation) Reductive – general relationships are established from data. It seeks to explain complex things in terms of simple structures and systems Disseminated (not hidden/secretive) – actions are recorded and published

8. 9 Characteristics of Scientific Research Theoretical – Any scientific research aims at producing a set of inter related propositions which can explain certain phenomena among variables Cummulative – each scientific investigation tries to build upon the existing facts and theories and helps in refining and extending the existing principle . Verifiable – : all scientific investigations lead to verifiable results. The process adopted in scientific investigations is such that it can be replicated by other researchers with approximately the same result. Non- Judgemental – they do not seek answer to the question s such as whether an action is right or wrong; rather; they attempt to find the explanation for any action .

9. 10 Unscientific Methods of Problem Solving Tenacity Intuition Authority The rationalistic method

10. THE RESEARCH PROCESS Identification& definition of research problem Reviewing the literature (background info.) Formulation of research questions &appropriate hypotheses Designing a study to collect data necessary for answering research questions/testing hypotheses Analysis of the data to test the hypotheses Drawing necessary inference or conclusion based on the analysis. Publish findings

11. Identification& definition of research problem The most important step in research ! What are you interested in? What do you have to know about it ? Often comes from the thought: “What we have now is not quite right/good enough – we can do better ...” Identification& definition of a Research problem will lead to the formulation of Research questions that you want to answer. The study must be feasible.

12. Literature Review How has the work been done previously? What similar work has been leading up to this point? Literature search- books, journals, projects, informal discussions , etc ). Other original papers- conferences, symposia, workshops, Reports What distinguishes previous work from what you want to do ? (Addition to knowledge) Who / What will be impacted by this research? (What changes to expect )

13. Formulating Research Questions The research question defines the “area of interest” but it is not a declarative statement like a hypothesis. The central research question may be complemented by a few secondary questions to narrow the focus. Research question must be capable of being confirmed or refuted.

14. Formulate hypothesis A scientific hypothesis states the ‘predicted’ (educated guess ) relationship amongst variables. Serve to bring clarity, specificity and focus to a research problem. - But are not essential - You can conduct valid research without constructing a hypothesis - However, you can have many hypotheses Usually stated in declarative form. In the case of a PhD dissertation, one hypothesis after tested becomes a thesis being defended. One dissertation may include more than one thesis. Sometimes people refer to the dissertation as the “thesis”.

15. 16 Description of Thesis Thesis – written product of a systematic study of a significant problem…The finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation Creates new knowledge, extends existing knowledge

16. Characteristics of Hypothesis Should be simple, specific and conceptually clear. ... ambiguity would make verification almost impossible. Should be capable of verification. ... i.e. There are methods and techniques for data collection and analysis. Should be related to the existing body of knowledge. ... i.e. Able to add to the existing knowledge. Should be operationalisable ... i.e. Expressed in terms that can be measured.

17. EXAMPLE OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS/ HYPOTHESES FROM A STUDY: DETERMINING AND INCREASING THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL OF HEALTH WORKERS IN NIGERIA; A NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INTERVENTION STUDY.

18. Research Questions- Can work place interventions (fitness/ exercise, physical activity campaigns as well as health education) improve/ enhance the physical activity level of a group of health care workers? Does enhanced physical activity at the individual level translates to improved weight status and improved cardiovascular/ metabolic parameters (i.e. lower blood pressure and optimal blood glucose).

19. Hypotheses Work place interventions (fitness/ exercise as well as health education) will improve/ enhance the physical activity level of a group of health care workers. Ho : fo =fe or H1 : fo≠fe Enhanced physical activity at the individual level will translate to improved weight status and improved cardiovascular/ metabolic parameters (i.e. lower blood pressure and optimal blood glucose). Ho : fo =fe or H1 : fo≠fe

20. Design study (experiment). Includes planning in detail all the steps of the study Development of relevant instruments (e.g. questionnaire) that will have measurable variables which will eventually give us data Identify the variables that will be measured – especially the main outcome variables. The study design should be feasible, clear& thus reproducible. Ethical considerations ?, including permissions

21. Types of variables Independent/ Explanatory variable Determines what happens to the dependent variable Variable that is manipulated (treatment is administered; has levels) Dependent/ Outcome variable Depends on the Independent variable What you measure. (effect of the independent variable) Simplest study has one independent variable and one dependent variable

22. Carrying out designed study (experiment). Pilot testing and refinement of instrument. Training of data collectors Field vs. Laboratory work . Data Analysis plan (formation of dummy tables)

23. Analysis of the data to test the hypotheses What did your study show ? Results obtainable via data analysis- Qualitative& Quantitative Descriptive and inferential statistics Discussion regarding- Literature, Research objectives, Research questions. Consider next steps- Recommendations for further research.

24. Publish findings A research result is not a contribution to the field if no one knows about it or can use it ! Write scientific papers, make presentations Intermediate results- can be presented at Conferences& you can get feedback Final results can be published in Journals Be careful in selecting where you publish ! Write dissertation

25. Types and roles of Research Types- Basic and Applied (majorly)

26. 27 Basic vs. Applied Research Basic research – type of research that may have limited direct application but in which the researcher has careful control of the conditions. May take place in the laboratory or field. Aims at the advancement of knowledge. Also known as Fundamental research. Concerned with producing results or findings which will lead to the development of theories . Not with usefulness of the findings to practical situations.

27. 28 Basic vs. Applied Research Applied research – type of research that has direct value to practitioners but in which the researcher has limited control over the research setting. Almost always takes place in Real-world settings Applied research is concerned with the usefulness of ideas or theories to practical situations. Testing the variability or usefulness of ideas or theories in practical situation.

28. 29 Basic vs. Applied Research Both are useful and contribute immensely to the development of knowledge. A basic researcher produces the theory The applied researcher tests the usefulness of the theory in practical situations. This test provides some feedback to the basic research, which helps him in modifying and refining his theory . None is superior or inferior to the other

29. Other types of Research Action Research Research and Development Evaluation Research

30. THE ROLES OF RESEARCH The advancement of knowledge. Much of human knowledge today is drawn from conclusion of scientific researches over the years. Increasing and understanding of various phenomena : Providing solutions to problems : Helps in solving problems , major motivation for undertaking any research project, to solve identified problems. Improvement of practices . Global Best practices are a direct consequence of research. Bringing about overall development and progress :

31. Status of research in developing countries:

32. Status of research in developing countries: In developed nations, research has come to assume an indispensable status in national development. Each year, a substantial proportion of the national budget is set aside for research. Research in the developing nation is yet to attain an impressive status. Research institutes, U niversities are starved of funds to embark meaningful research.

33. Status of research in developing countries: There is hardly any provision for nationally co-ordinated and properly funded research projects. What one finds instead, are individual research workers in various locations scratching the surface of their discipline in personally funded research projects in order to make enough publications for promotion. Can hardly lead to meaningful development and progress.

34. Problems of Research in Developing Countries Inadequate funding of Research. Lack of necessary equipment, facilities and materials Poor Communication/ Transportation Network Unattractive working conditions for research workers The “publish or perish” syndrome Lack of a record- keeping culture: Poor attitude of the government and society . Researchers making use of human subject find it difficult to obtain co-operation of subjects at times. Lack of investment in research by the Private (business) sector

35. Problem Identification in Research

36. Problem Identification Research is concerned with finding solution to problems, The first step in conducting research is the identification of the problem to be solved. Identifying a problem which is worth investigating is usually a difficult task for students. Students do not take time to first acquaint themselves with the necessary research literature.

37. Issues that may lead to problem identification An unsatisfactory state of affairs. An unanswered question A missing link/gap A need An imbalance

38. Steps in problem identification Identifying and choosing a broad problem area : This should relate to the researchers interests& competencies. Pinning it down to a specific problem

39. Problem Identification Sources Literatures Theory Personal experience Reports of previous research Nigeria.

40. Qualities of a good research problem Impactful in nature Researchable Significant Novel Consistent with the researcher’ s competence, interest and circumstances.

41. CONCLUSION

42. CONCLUSION The steps of the scientific process has a structure similar to an hourglass - The structure starts with general questions, narrowing down to focus on one specific aspect, then designing research where we can observe and analyze this aspect. At last, the hourglass widens and the researcher concludes and generalizes the findings to the real world ..

43. THANK YOU