Research question

1. Research question Dr Tarek Tawfik Amin Professor of Public Health Cairo University

2. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 2 Research? More than a set of skills, it is away of thinking: examining critically the various aspects of day to day professional work; Understanding and formulating guiding principles that govern a particular procedures; Developing and testing new theories for the enhancement of your practice.

3. Working Definition It is the habit of questioning with systematic examination of the observed information to find answers which may results in more effective professional services. Kumar R 2005.

4. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 4 Definition: Research is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and creates new knowledge that is generally applicable. Grinnell 1993

5. Types of research Application Objectives Inquiry mode Pure research Applied research Exploratory research Descriptive research Explanatory research Correlational research Quantitative research Qualitative research

6. Research process “The 8 steps model” Formulating a research question Research design Instruments for data collection Selecting a sample Research protocol writing Data collection Data processing Research report FINER Variables and hypotheses: definition and typology Literature review Research design: functions Study designs Methods and tools of data collection Validity and reliability of the research tool Field test of the tools Sampling theory and designs Contents of research proposal Editing Code book Coding Methods of data Processing: computing and statistics Principles of Scientific writing What How Conducting of the study

7. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 7 I- Conceiving the Research Question. The research question is the uncertainty about something in the population that the investigator wants to resolve by making measurements on his study subjects. No shortage of questions as one leads to another.

8. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 8 Tamoxifen and Cancer Breast. Tamoxifen reduces the risk of cancer breast during 4 years of use by women at high risk of breast cancer . Many other questions evolved: Does tamoxifen reduce the risk of death due to breast cancer? How long should treatment be continued? Might other drugs with the same action are beneficial without the risk of tamoxifen-induced thromboembolism? Does the use of such drug increases the risk for other cancer (ovarian)? The difficulty in question lies in finding one that can be transformed into a feasible and valid study plan.

9. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 9 Origins of a research question. For established investigator: The best research questions usually emerge from findings and problems faced and observed in prior studies, and in those of other workers in the field “Major Players”. For new and other investigators: Mastering of the literature. Being alert to new ideas and techniques. Keeping the imagination roaming. Attending seminar, workshops and conferences.

10. Reviewing of the existing literature Time consuming Frustrating Inappropriate keywords Searching methods (strategies) Essential at all steps of your journey Provides the background/rationale for your research (clarity and focus) Refine your research methodology (links/associations/new approaches) How your work will contribute to the body of knowledge (compared to others’) Broaden your knowledge base (writing) How to integrate your work (writing) The initial paradox

11. Paradox of literature review Lack of idea about the problem to be investigat ed The literature search shape your research problem

12. Formulating research problem Potential research questions may occur to us on a regular basis, but the process of formulating them in a meaningful way is not at all an easy task. ( Meenaghan & Twoomey 1985)

13. Research problem “Garbage in, garbage out” Research problem is the input into the study which influence the quality of your research (output). Problem formulation will govern the design, sampling, instruments used, and analysis used.

14. Research problems (the 4Ps) Aspect of study about Study of Study population People Individuals, organizations, groups, communities Provide you with required information or you collect information from them Subject areas Problem Program Phenomenon Issues, situations, associations, needs, profiles etc., Content structure, outcomes, attributes, etc., Cause-effect, relationships, etc., Information that you need to collect to find answers to your research question

15. Considerations in selecting a research problem (topic) Interest Magnitude Personal interest, motivation How much is required Measurement Availability of indicators and measurement of concepts and variables Expertise Know your limitations, ask for help Relevance Relevant to your profession, bridging gap, and add new knowledge Data availability In case of using secondary sources Ethical considerations

16. Steps in formulation of a research problem Indentify broad field or subject area of your interest Dissect the broad area into subareas Select what is of most interest to you Raise the research question Formulate the objectives Assess your objectives and double check for sufficient interest

17. Steps in formulation of a research problem Physical activity Prevalence Barriers Profile Genders Sedenatrism Attitudes Knowledge Knowledge of the role of PA and cancer prevention How much is the population knowledge gap about PA and cancer prevention? Objective: assessing the population knowledge about the role of PA in cancer prevention. Am I interested in doing that Tools, sample, resources etc., Review of literature at all steps

18. Characteristics of a good research question “ FINER Criteria”. Adequate number of subjects. Adequate technical expertise Affordable in time and money Manageable in scope To the investigator Confirms or refuses previous findings Extends previous findings Provides new findings To scientific knowledge To clinical and health policy To future research directions Feasible Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant

19. The research question should specifies! Smoking Cancer lung Exposure Disease Outcome Predictor Confounders Confounders Occupational hazards

20. The research question and study plan: problems and solutions Solutions Potential problem Specify a smaller set of variables Narrow the question. Expand the inclusion criteria Eliminate or modify exclusion criteria Add other sources of subjects Lengthen the time frame for entry into study Use strategies to decrease sample size Collaborate with those who have skills Consult and review the literature for alternative methods Consult and modify the research question The research question is not FINER 1- Not feasible too broad not enough subjects available methods beyond the skills of the investigator too expensive 2- Not interesting, novel, or relevant 3- Uncertain ethical suitability The study plan is vague

21. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 21 The structure of a research project is set out in its protocol, the written plan of the study. The functions of the protocol are:  Seeking grant funds.  Helping the investigator to organize his research in a logical, focused, and efficient way.

22. What questions will the study address? Why are these questions important? How is the study structured? Who are the subjects and how will they be selected? What measurements will be made? How large is the study and how will it be analyzed? Research questions Significance (background) Design time frame epidemiologic approach Subjects selection criteria sampling design Variables predictor variables confounding outcome variables Statistical issues hypotheses sample size analytic approach Purpose Elements of protocol

23. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 23 Exercise: Consider the following research questions. First , write each question in a single sentence that specifies a predictor, outcome, and population. Then discuss whether it meets the FINER criteria. Rewrite the question in a form that overcomes any problems in meeting their criteria.

24. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 24 Exercise: What is the relationship between depression and health? Does eating red meat cause cancer? Does lowering serum cholesterol prevent heart disease? Can a relaxation exercise decrease the anxiety associated with mammography? Do contraceptive vaginal sponges prevent HIV infection? Does dietary pattern among school children affect their health?

25. 11/27/2013 Dr. Tarek Tawfik 25 Assignment: Formulate a research questions regarding health and health-related problems that may be encountered in: Rural community and the available health facilities. Urban primary health care facility. Primary schools.