Research methodology

Basics of research methodology

1. Research Methodology (Introduction, research question, population and sample) Presented by- Dr. Sonal Kale PG 1 st year 1

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 2

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 3

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. 4

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. 5

6. To guide through necessary resources and resource persons for conducting research. To orient to certain skills , literature search and computer applications. 6

7. Types of Research BASIC and APPLIED OBSERVATIONAL and EXPERIMENTAL QUALITATIVE and QUANTITATIVE THEORETICAL and EMPIRICAL 7

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. 8

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. 9

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. 10

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. 11

12. Steps in conducting a research 12

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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. 14

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. 15

16. Steps for developing a great research question Ask interesting questions Select the best question for research Transform the research question into a testable hypothesis 16

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? 17

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? 18

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? 19

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 20

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 21

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) 22

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. 23

24. Types of hypothesis 1. Directional hypothesis Non directional hypothesis 2. Research hypothesis Null hypothesis 3. Simple hypothesis Complex hypothesis 24

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 . 25

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. 26

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. 27

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. 28

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. 29

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. 30

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. 31

32. Ideal requirements of a sample Efficiency- it is the ability of a sample to yield the desired information. 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. 32

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 . 33

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. 34

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. 35

36. References Lipowski EE. Developing great research questions. Am J Health- Syst Pharm.2008;65 :1667-70 Farrugia P, Petrisor BA, Farrokhyar F, Bhandari M. Research questions, hypotheses and objectives. J can chir . 2010;53:278-81 WHO. Introduction to research. Health research methodology-A Guide for Training in Research Methods, 2 nd edition, 2001;1-10 WHO. Research strategies and design. Health research methodology-A Guide for Training in Research Methods, 2 nd edition, 2001;11-42 Geurink KV. Research. Community Oral Health Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3 rd edition. Elsevier. 2014;198-222 Peter S. Research methodology and biostatistics. Essentials of preventive and community dentistry, 4 th edition. Arya publications. 2009;360-399 36

37. Thank you 37