RM 3 Writing the project proposal

1. RM 3Writing the project proposal Affette McCaw-Binns Research Methods Section of Community Health UWI, Mona (2003/4)

2. Learning Objectives • Understand the elements of a project proposal, viz • Problem selection • Hypothesis • Literature review • Aims and Objectives • Differentiate between aims (goals) and objectives • Define the characteristics of research objectives • Identify and discuss different types of objectives • Descriptive, associative, causation • Study Design/Methodology • Budgeting • Timetable MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

3. The research proposal • Problem definition • Significance of the research • Review of the literature or background • Hypothesis formulation (problem definition) • Research design and methodology • Data analysis • Personnel management • Cost and business arrangements • Timetable of events MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

4. Problem definition • Proposal heading or title • What do you intend to study? • Why is it worth studying? • Boundaries? Time, population etc. • Frame a question (or statement) which covers the most important aspects of the research topic e.g. • Under-reporting of deaths in Jamaica, 1996 and 1998 • Multi-source methodology for determining the incidence of deaths in Jamaica, 1996 and 1998 MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

5. Selecting the Research Problem VALUE OF THE PROJECT • Is the study worthwhile? • What will it accomplish? • Will it be used by policy makers or contribute to building of theory? • Whom will it serve? MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

6. Review of the literature • Critical references to justify why your research project should be supported • Conceptual framework of the subject • Major theories • Other research on this topic • Do findings/theories converge or diverge? • Do findings/theories fit your research intent? • Inconsistencies among the studies • Unanswered questions you wish to explore MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

7. Hypothesis • A statement that can be tested • A statement of a relationship between two or more concepts or variables • Must be worded in a way that it can be either rejected or not rejected; i.e. • you either have evidence to support it or you do not • e.g. • There is no relationship between periodontal infection and risk of preterm birth in Jamaica MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

8. Hypothesis formulation-problem definition • Your hypothesis should flow logically from a discussion of the literature • Not all studies use hypotheses • Hypothesis should flow smoothly and logically from the gaps in theory and research you have reviewed • Or, you may construct a hypothesis which seeks to replicate a study MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

9. Aims or goals • General statements of what one expects to achieve within a given time frame • Tend to define the ideal • Are generally abstract • Are often shared by a large number of people • e.g. • To determine whether maternal mortality has improved in Jamaica in the last five years MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

10. Objectives • Precisely stated ends to which efforts are directed. They specify: • Outcome • Variables to be measured • Specific ends capable of: • Attainment • Measurement • Break down goals into smaller, logically connected measurable parts MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

11. •nature •distribution •size •intensity associated factors relationship between problem and factors expected outcome(s) Specific objectives will systematically address various aspects of the problem MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

12. Less precise terms to learn to know to understand to understand fully to appreciate to be aware to realize More precise terms To determine To identify To discuss To list To classify To evaluate To compare and contrast Objectives should use action verbs MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

13. Criteria of Objectives I • Objectives should be within the capabilities of the investigator in terms of: • Organization • Personnel • Equipment • Facilities and techniques • Objectives should fall within: • Budget restrictions • Available timetable MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

14. Criteria of Objectives II • Objectives should be: • Measurable in concrete terms • Acceptable to those responsible for carrying them out • Legal and consistent with the ethical and moral values of the community affected • Minimum negative side effects should result from the achievement of the objectives MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

15. Types of objectives I • Descriptive • who, what, when, where • Analytical • how, why • Associational - relationships between two variables which are non-causal • Causal - relationships between two variables which are causal MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

16. After formulating objectives, ask: • Do they address all aspects of the research problem in a logical and coherent way? • Are they clearly phrased? • Are they well defined? • Are they realistic? • Do they include development of recommendations on how the results will be used to solve the problem? MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

17. Operational definitions I • Care should be taken to identify the meaning of words in relation to your research • Process = development of operational definitions • State clearly procedures to be used to measure variables • Allows for the transformation of abstract concepts into concrete phenomena which can be measured • Clear wording helps minimize personal bias MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

18. Operational definition II • Avoid using straight dictionary definitions • may start there • Definition(s) need to be as simple as possible • The more complex the definition is, the greater the likelihood of errors • e.g. maternal death • Death of a woman 10-50 years of age • Pregnant or 6 or fewer weeks since delivery • From direct or indirect complications of pregnancy MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

19. Study Design Descriptive: • Only describes, not explain, what is occurring • Type: Cross sectional studies Explanatory: • Attempts to specify how or why something has happened • Greater attention to study design, data collection methods • Hypothesis formulation is critical • Types: • Cross-sectional/Cohort/Case-control • Experimental studies/Quasi-experimental Evaluative: • Appraise thevalue of health care • Reviews (are programmes achieving their objectives?) • Trials (is this the most effective method of care?) • Types: Experimental/Quasi-experimental studies MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

20. Methodology • Sample • Who and or what is being studied • Sources of data • Primary (interview, observation, direct measurement) • Secondary (records, data collected for other use) • Sampling method • Criteria for case selection • Inclusion • Exclusion MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

21. Measurement • What are the key variables? • Outcomes • Predictors • Confounders • Define and say how variables will be measured • Are your definitions and measurement methods consistent with previous research? • If they differ, need to explain • External validity important for the discussion of your findings MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

22. Data collection • Who will collect the data? • How will the persons be trained? • How will the data be collected? • Over what time period? • What type of measurement instrument will be used? • What sort of equipment do you need? MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

23. Analysis • Analytical approach to be used • Descriptive • Causal (explanatory) • Types of statistical analyses to be used • Methods/software • Logic behind the analysis • How will the analysis help to answer the research question MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

24. Schedule or time frame Duration of research activity • Outline time for each stage of the research • Data collection • Editing, data entry, cleaning • Data analysis and reporting • Time frame/study design must be feasible within resource constraints • Time available • Money • Personnel MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

25. Budget: how much will it cost? Itemize the various costs involved • Project development/printing questionnaires • Lit. review, collaboration, typing, stationery, printing, pre-test • Acquisition of equipment/material/supplies • Fieldwork • Salaries • Travel, communication, subsistence/accommodation • Laboratory tests, other supplementary services • Data processing and reporting • Coding, keying, cleaning, analysis, writing up • Dissemination • Printing, workshop?, trip to CHRC? MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

26. BUDGET • Personnel • Interviewers • Supervisors • Data entry/Clerical officer • Consultants • Drivers • Costs ≈ going rates for professionals used • Interviewers: pro-rate based on the average time to administer the questionnaire • Consultants: include added cost for travel and accommodation MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

27. BUDGET • Supplies and equipment • Stationery (paper, pads, clipboards, folders, questionnaires, pencils, pens, etc.) • Printing, photocopying • Print 25-50% more than you will need, or you will run out • Equipment (hardware etc.) • Supplies (reagents, syringes etc) MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

28. BUDGET • Training and Dissemination • Training: venue, number of trainees, travel and accommodation, meals • Conference to share findings, estimated number of participants, board and lodging • Handouts, supplies, snacks and meals • Travel to international conferences to share findings MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

29. Timetable • Estimate duration of time required for each phase of the study • Preliminary preparation • Literature review • Development of study methods • Questionnaire design/pretest • Data collection • Data coding, cleaning, analysis • Report preparation MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

31. Ethical Review Board • Reviews research proposals involving human subjects to guarantee that subjects’ rights and interests will be protected MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

32. Informed Consent • Participants should: • Have the purposes of the study explained to them • Be given a description of how the study will affect them, including • Risks associated with the research • Be told that involvement is entirely voluntary and that they can leave the study at any time • Be given a written information leaflet which contains • The above information which they can take away • Identifies the principal investigator/institution MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

33. Ethical Review Board: One page summary • Aim of the study • Personnel involved • Description of possible outcomes, including: • Benefits or lack thereof • Any potential harm(s) participants may suffer • An offer to answer questions at any time • Promise of anonymity and confidentiality, and how these will be maintained • Indication that participants are: • Free to leave the study at any time • Not obliged to answer questions they are uncomfortable with • Informed consent form MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns

34. Group Assignment • Develop a research proposal • To be submitted and graded • Class divided into 12 groups (see e-mail) • Identify team leader • Divide tasks among team (lit review, ?aire, budget, timetable etc) • First task • Select a research problem of interest • Identify background literature on the problem • Begin to do a literature review • Second task • State your research goal • Identify 3-8 related objectives • Team leader – e-mail me problem statement, goal and objectives by October 31, 2003 • affette.mccawbinns@uwimona.edu.jm MHE3-RM3: McCaw-Binns