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Formulation of research questions by Dr. Badr Aljaser as part of the 5th Research Summer School at KAIMRC
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Formulation of Research Question
BADR A ALJASIR MD, ABCM, MCERM, MSc, FRSPH
Assistant Professor, Consultant Community Medicine & Epidemiology
Director Community & Preventive Medicine – PHC – NGHA – WR
Research Summer School 2
Formulating an
Answerable Research
Question From an Idea
Research Summer School 3
Purposes of research
OExploration
ODescription
OExplanation
Research Summer School 4
ExplorationOTo develop an initial, rough understanding
of a phenomenon
Methods: Oliterature reviews
OInterviews
Ocase studies
Okey informants
Research Summer School 5
DescriptionOPrecise measurement and reporting of the
characteristics of the population or phenomenon
OWhat is the case?
OWhat is the nature of the relationship?
OMethods: census, surveys, qualitative studies
Research Summer School 6
Explanation
OWhy is there a relation ?OJustifiable relation
Research Summer School 7
Research Idea
OResearch idea provides the very basic foundation of research work
OWithout research idea there cannot be a research
OA ‘problem’ situation is not a ‘wrong’ situation but we are simply problematizing the situation
OOur intention is to enhance our knowledge about the situation
Research Summer School 8
Problem or Opportunity Formulation
The crucial first stage in the research process
—determining the problem to be solved or the
opportunity to be studied and the objectives of
the research
The Process of Problem or Opportunity Formulation
Research Summer School 9
Research Problem
OResearch problem is understanding and explaining the problem – what I am going to study, why and how?
OResearch problem sets the frame of reference for the study
ODefining a research problem is clarifying oneself what is the problem and what the research is intended to do or what are the expected output
Research Summer School 10
Sett ing Up Research Problem
O Looking for rational
O Arriving to this problem (interest, gap, need, educational/medical
and policy change)
O Collecting preliminary information
O Reviewing the literature
O Discussing with the stakeholders, other researchers
Research Summer School 11
Statement of the Problem
O We often need to write a section in our research proposal /
thesis
O This section can be limited just in one sentence or can be few
paragraphs long extending to more than a page
O Whatever its length be, it should define and delimit the
problem
O It should also justify the problem
Recognizing & Choosing among Research Opportunit ies
O What situations or problems tend to fascinate, challenge, or interest
you?
O List as many ideas as you can as quickly as possible
O Identify which are:O Most interesting (I)
O Feasible (F)
O Fundable ($)
O Best overall (*)
O Write/Rewrite your best idea or research question?
Research Summer School 12
Research Summer School 13
Attr ibutes of a good research topic (1)
Capability: Is it feasible?
O Are you fascinated by the topic?
O Do you have the necessary research skills?
O Can you complete the project in the time available?
O Will the research still be current when you finish?
O Do you have sufficient financial and other resources?
O Will you be able to gain access to data?
Research Summer School 14
Attr ibutes of a good research topic (2)
Appropriateness: is it worthwhile?
O Will the examining institute's standards be met?
O Does the topic contain issues with clear links to theory?
O Are the research questions and objectives clearly stated?
O Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into
the topic?
O Are the findings likely to be symmetrical?
O Does the research topic match your career goals?
Research Summer School 15
Attr ibutes of a good research topic (3)
And - (if relevant)
Does the topic relate clearly to an idea
you were given -
possibly by your organisation ?
Research Summer School 16
What is Formulation?
Formulation means translating and transforming the selected research problem into a scientifically answerable research
question.
This is the aim of the study.
Research Summer School 17
17
Research Question
O Gives specific focus to our study while staying within
the research context as set by our research problem
O Begins with a general concern that should be
narrowed down to a concrete researchable issue
O Defines exactly what we are going to do, how, and
why
Research Summer School 18
Research Question
OHelps to clarify what to expect as the findings of
the research
O Is the process of operationalizing our research
OOne critical concern: are we asking the question
we want to study?
OOr, is our research question compatible with our
research purpose
Research Summer School 19
Generating research ideas
Useful Techniques
Rational thinking Creative thinking
Searching the literature Scanning the media
Brainstorming Relevance Trees
Exploring past projects Discussion
Keeping an ideas notebook
Research Summer School 20
Research Question
OBased on literature/idea
O Includes sample description (e.g., Adult Saudi
Hypertensive)
O Includes study design (e.g., relationship,
difference between groups, etc.)
O Includes the independent & dependent variables
O Is measurable
Research Summer School 21
Cycles of ResearchQuestion Development
Research Summer School 22
Asking the Right Question
Research Summer School 23
Why?
"Ask a poor question and you will get a
poor research. A clear question also
helps the investigator rapidly assess
whether the study is relevant to his or
her own…practice". (Counsell, 1997)
Research Summer School 24
Benefits of Gett ing the Questions Right at the Start
O Improves clarity of the problem
O Facilitates subsequent steps of the research process
O Helps select appropriate literature for review
O Anticipates issues, resource needs
O Improves efficiency, minimizes wasted efforts
No hole in the literature
The Research Process
Define Research Question
Conduct Literature Review
Refine Question
Hole in literature
Design Study
Obtain IRB Approval(medical research)
Collect & Analyze Data
Operationalize variables
Write and Report Results
Research Summer School 25
Research Summer School 26
Research that Makes a Difference
O Investigates important questions
O Is ethical ?
OConnected to theory
OConnects the study to prior research
OUses appropriate research design and analysis procedures
ODisseminates results
Research Summer School 27
Question Formulating Process
Problem or Issue
Define population
Define intervention
Write Question
Search terms
Comparator
Outcome measure
P
I
C
O
Research Summer School 28
PICO PRINCIPLE
OA useful model to help structure an answerable
question.
OUsed to formulate research question.
OBreaks down the question into four key elements.
Research Summer School 29
PICO
OPopulation, Patient, Problem P
OIntervention or Indicator I
OComparator or Control C
OOutcome O
Research Summer School 30
PEO
OPopulation, Patient, Problem P
OExposure E
OOutcome O
Research Summer School 31
Example Research Question
Do first-year medical students who complete a student-run anatomy review course score higher on the anatomy final exam than students who do not complete the review course?
What is the population? first-year medical students P
What is the intervention? Completing the review I
What is the control? students who don’t complete C What is the outcome? Final exam score O
Research Summer School 32
Populat ion or Patient
OWho are you interested in?
OHow would you describe the patients or
population of interest?
OBe specific
Research Summer School 33
Population or Patient
ExampleO Asthmatics
O Adults with mild to moderate asthma (treated with β2-agonists alone or with inhaled corticosteroids <1mg daily)
Research Summer School 34
Intervention or Indicator
OCauseORisk factorOPrognostic factorOTreatment or interventionOBe preciseOBe brief
Research Summer School 35
Intervention or Indicator
ExampleOHigh saturated fat dietOSmokingORegular use of salbutamol
Research Summer School 36
Comparator or Control
OWhat is the alternative to the intervention?OMay not always be necessaryOBe preciseOBe brief
Research Summer School 37
Comparator or Control
ExampleOLow saturated fat dietONot SmokingOAs Needed use of salbutamol
Research Summer School 38
Outcome
OWhat do I hope to accomplish?OWhat could this exposure really affect?OBe preciseOBe brief
Research Summer School 39
Outcome
ExampleODeathOGlycemic controlOAsthma control
Research Summer School 40
PICO Question
In mild to moderate adult asthmatics
(P), does the regular use of
salbutamol (I) compared to as needed
use (C) result in worse asthma
control (O)?
No hole in the literature
The Research Process
Define Research Question
Conduct Literature Review
Refine Question
Hole in literature
Design Study
Obtain IRB Approval(medical research)
Collect & Analyze Data
Operationalize variables
Write and Report Results
Research Summer School 41
Research Summer School 42
Searching for Related Work
ODetails in later workshop (search/appraise lit)O Identify possible sources of information
O Colleagues and librariansO Databases, PUBMED, PSYCLIT, Science Citation IndexO Journals, chapters, books, publications
ORead critically and summarizeO Citations referencedO Sample sizeO Study design and limitationsO Overall conclusions
No hole in the literature
The Research Process
Define Research Question
Conduct Literature Review
Refine Question
Hole in literature
Design Study
Obtain IRB Approval(medical research)
Collect & Analyze Data
Operationalize variables
Write and Report Results
Research Summer School 43
Research Summer School 44
Crit ique Your Question
OClearly stated?
OStated as a question?
OTestable?
ODefines variables to be studied?
ODefines sample to be studied?
ODescribes the setting for the study?
Research Summer School 45
FINER Research QuestionOFeasible: adequate subject #, expertise, affordable,
manageable in scopeO Interesting: to the investigatorONovel: -confirm, extend or refute previous findings
O provide new findings
OEthical: fulfill guidelines for the protection of students
ORelevant: O to scientific knowledge O to education policyO to future research
Research Summer School 46
Goldilocks testO Clough and Nutbrown use what they call the Goldilocks test to
decide if research questions are either too big two small too hot or
just right/
O Too big need significant funding
O Too small are likely to be insufficient substance
O Too hot maybe so because sensitivities that may be aroused as a result
of doing the research . This may be because of the timing of the
research or the many other reasons that may be upset key people who
have a role to play.
O Just right are those just right for investigation at this time by this
research in this setting
Research Summer School 47
Hypothesis – Meaning and Importance
O Is a formal statement of the relationship between
variables to be investigated
OMust contain two or more measurable variables
and must specify how the variables are related
OSets the framework for developing interpretations
and drawing conclusions
O Is a prediction regarding the possible outcomes of
the study.
Research Summer School 48
Hypothesis Development
OThe hypothesis is the narrowest expression of the research question.
OSummarizes the elements of the study through the design, sample, predictor and outcome variables.
OThe purpose of the hypothesis is to establish a basis for statistical tests ( What test will be used).
Research Summer School 49
Characterist ics of a Good HypothesisO Simple vs. Complex
O Simple: contains one predictor and one outcomeO Complex: -More than one predictor or outcome.
(Not easily tested .. Can break it into simple hypothesis).
O Specific vs. VagueO Specific:
OLeaves no confusion about what the question is.OClear about what is being collected.
O Stated in Advance vs. After-the-FactO In Advance: provides a primary objective and a basis for
interpreting study results.
Research Summer School 50
Null and Alternative Hypothesis
OAlternative O Non-directional: The difference is unknownO Directional: Existing studies/data suggest direction of
relationship, expressed as HA
ONullO Actually, hypotheses are statistically tested in their null
formO Expressed as no relationship/association exists between
variables, expressed as H0
Research Summer School 51
Example
OWe believe that female educators have more positive leadership characteristics
OOur hypothesis (research or alternate, HA): women educators have positive leadership characteristics
ONull hypothesis (H0): there is no association between gender of the medical educator and leadership characteristics
Research Summer School 52
A Good Hypothesis
OA good hypothesis should be in a declarative sentence form specifying the relationship between variables; conditional statement cannot be a hypothesis
O It must be measurable and empirically testable, concise and with specific meaning (clarity is obtained by means of definitions)
O It should be linked with some theoretical / conceptual / analytical framework / tools
Research Summer School 53
Isolate and Identify the Problem, Not the Symptoms
OCertain occurrences that appear to be the problem may only be symptoms of a deeper problem
OGood researchers must be creative in developing problem or opportunity formulations by investigating situations in new ways
Operationalize variables
Research Summer School 54
Determine the Unit of Analysis
OThe researcher must specify whether the investigation will collect data about individuals, households, organizations, departments, geographical areas, or objects
The Process of Problem or Opportunity Formulation
Research Summer School 55
OA written statement of the research design that includes a statement explaining the purpose of the study and a detailed, systematic outline of procedures associated with a particular research methodology
OThe research proposal must communicate exactly what information will be obtained, where it will be obtained, and how it will be obtained
The Research Proposal
Research Summer School 56
Turning ideas into research projects
Include SMART Personal objectivesSpecific: What precisely do you hope to achieve from undertaking the
research?
Measurable: What measures will you use to determine whether you have achieved your objectives?(Secured a career-level first job in software design)
Achievable: Are the targets you have set for yourself achievable given all the possible constraints?
Realistic: Given all other demands upon your time, will you have the time and energy to complete the research on time?
Timely: Will you have time to accomplish all your objectives?
Research Summer School 57
Conclusion
O Formulate PICO question
O Write a FINER (feasible, interesting, novel,
ethical, relevant) educational research question
O Translate your question into a working hypothesis
Research Summer School 58
Have a Great Afternoon
Workshop Please think of your research
question in relation to the morning class
Research Summer School 60
Examples of good research problems (in the form of questions)
O Does client-centered therapy produce more satisfaction in clients than traditional therapy?
O Does behavior modification reduce aggression in autistic children?
O Are the descriptions of people in social studies discussions biased?
O What goes on in an elementary school classroom during an average week?
O Do teachers behave differently toward students of different genders? (causal-comparative design)
O How do parents feel about the school counseling program? O How can a principal improve faculty morale?
Research Summer School 61
Your research problemOWhat is your area of interest?OWhere could you look for help in deciding
upon a specific research problem?OWhat criteria will you apply when deciding
upon a specific research problem? OHow could you narrow down your research
problem? OHow might your value-judgments
(preconceived ideas) affect your research endeavors?
Research Summer School 62
A good research question will…
1. Be clearly linked to overall project goal
2. Allow the target population to be identified
3. Guide the appropriate level of aggregation (e.g. class, course, curriculum, institution)
4. Identify the outcome variables and key predictors of those variables
5. Determine what type of study is needed (e.g. descriptive, relational, experimental)
6. Identify background characteristics that might influence outcomes
7. Raise questions about how to best collect data
8. Influence the number of participants in the study
Research Summer School 63
Good Luck with your research Questions !!
Research Summer School 64
Thank you
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