Material & Methods: An Overview

1. Material & Methods: An Overview Ahmed Mandil Prof of Epidemiology KSU College of Medicine

2. Headlines • Sections of an M&M section • Design, setting, sampling • Data collection tools • Pilot study • Ethical considerations • Citing references Material & Methods

3. Questions to be answered • How will the study be designed ? • How will the study be carried out ? • How are collected data going to be analyzed ? Material & Methods

4. Needed Information • How the study will be designed (briefly include: type of study design, suitability of choice for objectives of the study, study sequence) • How the study will be carried out (briefly include information on: sample selection, inclusion / exclusion criteria, instruments to be utilized, variables considered, referenced techniques, personnel / research team, pilot / actual data collection experience, ethical considerations) • How are collected data going to be analyzed (software, biostatistical techniques and methods) Material & Methods

5. Design & Setting • Study design : • Quantitative [observational, experimental] • Qualitative • Mixed • Study setting: where will the study be carried out: • For primary data • For secondary dat Material & Methods

6. Sampling • Sample size estimation: using standard equation • Sampling technique • should be random, unless otherwise justified • inclusion / exclusion criteria of selection Material & Methods

7. Data Collection Tools • Data collection Tools: • Questionnaire : brief description of sections / variables mentioned, with copy attached • Biochemical measurements: with references of techniques / kits • Physical measurements: with description of method / reference, as applicable Material & Methods

8. Pilot Study Pilot study : needed for all studies, to test: • Logistics of data collection • Transportation (if applicable) • Questionnaire: • Suitability / clarity • Questions may need rephrasing, removing, adding • Estimation of timing for data collection • Re-planning, accordingly  Material & Methods

9. Data Analysis • Data analysis plan : • Referenced software • Brief description of techniques • Univariate analysis (sample demography) • Bivariate analysis (cross tabulations) • Multivariate analysis (for identifying key determinants for outcomes) Material & Methods

10. Ethical Considerations • IRB bilingual Consent Form to be attached and include the following: • Purposes of the study, benefits, potential harms • Right of the participant to withdraw at any time without any obligation • Confidentiality of collection information • Participant’s anonymity assured (by assigning each participant with a code number for the purpose of analysis only) • Information on PI: name / affiliation / number • No incentives or rewards should be given to participants. Transportation / snacks may be provided to establish a bond with participants, with no obligation to participate  Material & Methods

11. REFERENCES Material & Methods

12. References (I) • Knowledge of previous work is critical to the success and soundness of the study, credibility of the scientific paper • References should be restricted to those with direct bearing on the work described • “Instructions to authors” of the respective journal should be reviewed for style to be used in citing references, e.g. Vancouver style, Harvard style, etc Material & Methods

13. References (II) Sources for references include: • Printed indices: Index Medicus (author, subject), ExcerptaMedica, Science Citation Index, Biological Extracts, etc (now obsolete) • Electronic databases: • International:PubMed, Ovid, Medline (Index Medicus), EMBASE (ExcerptaMedica), Biosis (biology), IPA (drug development), Toxline (toxicology), etc • Regional: IMEMR (of WHO/EMRO), Center for Arab Genomic Studies (CAGS) in Dubai • National: SAUDIMEDLIT, etc Material & Methods

14. Examples of Citing References(Vancouver Style) I • UNAIDS/WHO. HIV/AIDS epidemic update: December, 2008. Geneva: UNAIDS/WHO, 2008. [official document] • Statistical Package for Social Sciences (for Personal Computers) [SPSS-PC]. Version 11. SPSS Co. (444 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.), 2007. [statistical software] • Al-Zahrani A. A national study of obesity in Saudi Arabia. MD thesis. Riyadh: King Saud University, 2005 [doctoral thesis] • Mandil AMA, Aboul-Azm S, Bahnassy AA, Bashawri L. KAP study concerning HIV/AIDS among nursing students, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Bull HIPH 2000; 30(2): 391 - 404. [published article in a scientific journal] Material & Methods

15. Examples of Citing References(Vancouver Style) II • Last JM. A dictionary of epidemiology. 5th edition. New York, Oxford, Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2008. [book] • Krauss JFK. Occupational health. In: Beaglehole R, Bonita R, Kjellstrom T. 2nd edition. Basic epidemiology. Geneva: WHO, 2006. [book chapter] • Non-communicable diseases report. http://www.who.int/ncd (accessed on 26 July, 2008) [Internet source] • Tobacco control policies. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco (accessed on 1 September, 2007) [Internet source] Material & Methods

16. Headlines • Sections of an M&M section • Design, setting, sampling • Data collection tools • Pilot study • Ethical considerations • Citing references Material & Methods

17. Further Reading Hall GM. How to write a paper. 2nd edition. Delhi: Byword publishers, 2000. Day RA. How to write and publish a scientific paper. 3rd edition. Phoenix, New York: Oryx Press, 1988. Smith GD. Writing and publishing in the epidemiological field: the IEA’s journal as an example. University of Bristol, Sept 2013 International journals: International Journal of Epidemiology, American Journal of Public Health, The Lancet, Social Sciences & Medicine Regional: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal National: Saudi Medical Journal, Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, Annals of Saudi Medicine Material & Methods

18. Thank you