Research Methodology Power Poin Nov 2011 Sem 1

8/3/2019 Research Methodology Power Poin Nov 2011 Sem 1

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RESEARCHRESEARCH

METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY


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TERMINOLOGYTERMINOLOGY

1. What is research?1. What is research?It is a systematic (i.e. consistent) enquiry

(i.e. search) for truth.

2. What is Truth?2. What is Truth?Truth is considered to be the highest

reality, and to have the basic meaning and

value of existence


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Terminology ContinuedTerminology Continued

2. What is2. What is KnowledgeKnowledge??It is defined as ajustified, true belief.

(NB: Thisisstillbeingdebatedbyphilosophersin(NB: Thisisstillbeingdebatedbyphilosophersinepistemology= theoryofknowledgeepistemology= theoryofknowledge))

How isHow is truthtruth related torelated to knowledgeknowledge??

Only true things can be known. So, falseideas cannot be called knowledge.


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KnowledgeisjustifiedKnowledgeisjustified,, truetrue belief(seefigure)belief(seefigure)


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QuestionQuestion:

Can total truth be achieved?

Answer is NOAnswer is NO

We only know partial truth (Not full

truth) at any one time.

That is why we always search formore truth.


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Question:Question:Why is itWhy is it not possiblenot possible to achieveto achieve

totaltotal totaltotal truth?truth?

This is because of the different points

of view.

Different points of view are explainedby Perspective Philosophy.


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The different points of view are caused

by:

i. Previous Personal experience (i.e. a persons

background). i.e.

A constraintofphysicalrelativity

ii. Humans see things or situations in humanview, not in the view of things, or systems

they study. i.e.

Aconstraintofbiologicalrelativity


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iii. Level of technological advancement

Available technology determines

how much you can measure. i.e.

Constraint ofCultural Relativity


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How to come closer to total truth:How to come closer to total truth:i. Make multiple (i.e. more than one)

observations

ii.Use more than one method of

investigation (Triangulation of

Methods)

iii.Listen positively to criticism


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3. Characteristics of3. Characteristics of

ResearchResearch::i. It answers a particular question or

questions or hypothesis:It seeks to add

new knowledge

ii. It is focused : Has objectives, purpose.

iii. It has research strategy:Design, planiv.It uses selected methods: Verified

methods, organized way to collect data


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vi. It has organized data analysis and

interpretation, conclusions andrecommendations

vii. It is reported in an orderly manner

i.e. Research report has a basic

standard format.


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4. What is4. What is HypothesisHypothesis It is a specific statement of prediction of

an outcome about a phenomenon.

A tentative explanation that has not yet

been thoroughly tested, but considers

fully what is already known in literature. It must be verified by experiment or

consistent observation. (e.g. in Deductive

research)


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4.1 Deductive Research4.1 Deductive Research:

Tests hypothesis in order to confirm, modify orrejects established theories

NB:Notall studies require an hypothesis

4.2 Inductive research:4.2 Inductive research: It generate hypothesis by making obervations to a

NEW phenomenon.

Hypothesis is then thouroughly tested

Hypothesis turns into theory if it is generally

accepted as valid explanation of phenomenon.

NB: Research now tends to combine the two.


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5. What is5. What is TheoryTheory??

A theory is a logical explanation foralarge numberoffactsfacts and

observationsobservations about a phenomenon.

It is an explanation that is generally

accepted as being accurate about anobservation after many experiments/

observations


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5.1. Characteristics of a theory5.1. Characteristics of a theory

i. It is internally consistent (i.e.notnotcontradictory)contradictory)

ii. Firmly grounded in and based uponbased upon

evidenceevidence (i.e. as long as there is noother evidence to refute it)

iii. Tested against a wide range of

phenomena

iv. Shown to be effective in problem-solving


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Examples of theoriesExamples of theories

1.1. John Listers theoryJohn Listers theory of antiof anti--sepsissepsis

in surgeryin surgery

He postulated that sepsis might be caused by a

'pollen-like dust.

2. Nursing theoriesNursing theories are based on 4 concepts:

The person ( patient): The most important

The environment

Health

Nursing (goals, roles, functions)


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6. What is a6. What is a Model?Model?

This is a representation of the interactionamong and between the concepts to show

patterns. It can beIt can be diagramaticdiagramatic..

E.g. Health belief Model:

Health-seeking behaviour is influenced by a

persons perception of a threat posed by a

health problem and the value associated with

actions


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Health belief Model


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2. BioPsychoSocial Model of

Health and Illness

(http://cnx.org/content/m13589/latest/)


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7. What is a theory of7. What is a theory of Empiricism?Empiricism?

It states that Knowledge comes from

experienceandevidence especially sensory

perception (e.g.seeing, etc

.) and not only fromreasoningreasoning, intuitionintuition (i.e. instinct), or

revelationrevelation.

NB: Science is considered to be

methodologically empirical in nature


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8.8.What is Operational ResearchWhat is Operational Research??It a research done to find solutions to

improve the performance of a system.

e.g. Research on

HIV or malaria vaccine

why patients wait longer than

expected at the health clinic.


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9. Basic research:9. Basic research:

It is a systematic study done to improve knowledgeor understanding of the basic (i.e. fundamental)

aspects of a phenomenon and of observable facts

without immediate application of the outcome.Example:

Discovery ofDNA in 1953 much later led to cancer

treatment NuclearMagnetic Resonance much later led to

discovery ofMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)


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10.10. Quantitative researchQuantitative research

It involves taking measurements

and using statistical tests to explainwhat is observed

11.11. Qualitative researchQualitative research

Involves complete description of a

situation


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12.12. Epidemiological researchEpidemiological research

It is research on the distribution and

determinants of disease and different

health related conditions and eventsin specific populations to obtain

information to be used in the control

of health problems.

It also includes studies on efficacy of

treatment and preventive measures


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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCHEPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

TYPE OF STUDY ALTERNATIVE NAME UNIT OF

STUDY1. OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES

1.1Descriptive studies

i. Case Report i. Individuals

ii. Case Series ii. Individuals

iii. CommunityHealth Status

reports

iii. Individuals

1.2 Analytical Studies (Exploratory studies)

i. Ecological Studies i. Correlational studies i.Populations

ii. Cross-sectional

studies

ii. Prevalence studies ii. Individuals

iii. Case-control

studies

iii. Case-reference

studies

iii. Individuals

iv. Cohort studies iv. Follow-up studies iv. Individuals


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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCHEPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

TYPE OF STUDY ALTERNATIVENAME

UNIT OF STUDY

2. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES

Randomized clinical

trial

i. Clinical trial i. Patients

ii. Field Trials ii. CommunityIntervention studies

ii. Healthy people

iii. Community

Trials

iii. Healthy people


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STEPS FOR DOINGSTEPS FOR DOING

RESEARCHRESEARCH

Three main steps for doing research:Three main steps for doing research:

i.

Writing a Research Proposalii. Collection and analysis of data

iii. Writing Research Reports (i.e. communicating

the results)


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Research ProposalResearch Proposal

It is a Plan or guide for doing research.Uses:

i.To seek approval for the researchii.To solicit for research funds.

iii.T

o serve as a guide during theresearch process

NB: KHIhas an approved format.NB: KHIhas an approved format.


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Research ReportResearch Report

It is the presentation of the researchresults for dissemination purposes.

Types of Research reportsTypes of Research reportsi. Progress reports,

ii. F

inal report,iii. Dissertations/Thesis

iv.publications (scientific papers),


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Similarities and DifferencesSimilarities and Differences

betweenbetween Research ProposalResearch Proposalandand Written Research ReportWritten Research Report

How do the tenses differ?What about presentation of results,

budget, discussion, conclusions andrecommendations?

What about Workplan, budget, CV?


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Research Proposal and WrittenResearch Proposal and Written

Research ReportResearch Report

FEATURE RESEARCHPROPOSAL

REASEARCHREPORT

(E.g.

DISSERTATION)

A.

(i) TITLE (Shortform of

Research

Problem)

Same Same

(ii) SUMMARY(Written

LAST)

y

Format is similary Tenses and some

sections may

differ

y 150-200 words

y

Format is similary Tenses and some

sections may

differ

y 150-200 words


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FEATURE RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

REASEARCH

REPORT

(E.g.

DISSERTATION)B. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1. Definitions of

key terms

pertinent tothe study.

Same Same

2. Background

for the study

(i.e.

Motivation)

Same Same

3. Research

Problem

Statement

Same Same


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FEATURE RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

REASEARCH

REPORT

(E.g.

DISSERTATION)B. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION (continued)

4. Objectives (Main

Objective and

Specific

Objectives)

Same Same

5 Research

questions/

Hypothesis

Same Same

6. Significance (i.e.Rationale) of the

study

Same Same

7. Subdivisions of

the Study

Same Same


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FEATURE RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

REASEARCH

REPORT

(E.g.

DISSERTATION)C CHAPTER 2:

LITERATURE

REVIEW

Same Same

D. CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

1. Study Area

Same, in

future tense

Same, in past tense2. Study Design

3. Study population


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FEATURE RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

REASEARCH

REPORT

(E.g.

DISSERTATION)D. CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY (Continued)

4. Study sample

Same, in

future tense

Same, in past tense5. Data collection

6. Data analysis

7. Problems and

Limitations of the

study8. Ethical

Considerations


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FEATURE RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

REASEARCH

REPORT

(E.g.

DISSERTATION)E CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION

OF RESULTS

In future tense.

Dummy tables

(i.e. Tables

without data)

RESULTS AND

DISCUSSION

In past tense.

Tables contain data.

F. CHAPTER 5:

CONCLUSIONSAND

RECOMMENDA

TIONS

Absent Present


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FEATURE RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

REASEARCH

REPORT

(E.g.

DISSERTATION)9. References (In

text and Reference

list)

Same Same

G OTHERS

1. Work Plan Present Absent

2. Gantt Chart Present Absent

3. Budget and its

justification

Present Absent

4. Profile of theApplicant (i.e.

Curriculum Vitae)

and the Institution

Present Absent

6. Appendices Present Present


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STEPS FOR DOINGSTEPS FOR DOING

RESEARCHRESEARCH

Identification of the Research

Problem (i.e.Main Research

Question): Steps? BY REVIEW OF LITERATURE, etc.

Feasibility of the Research ProblemWhat factors determineWhat factors determine

feasibility of your researchfeasibility of your research

problem?problem?


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Literature review processLiterature review process

Definition

________________________________What is the importance of literature

review?

________________________________


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BACKGROUND TO THEBACKGROUND TO THE

STUDYSTUDYWhat does the background to the study

contain?

What does PROBLEM STATEMENT

CONTAIN?


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ObjectivesObjectives Main Objectives

__________________________

Specific objectives

___________________________

Characteristics of objectives

____________________________

Documents

Research Methodology Power Poin Nov 2011 Sem 1