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The Anatomy of Research

The Anatomy of Research. Presented by: Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi, PhD September 2013. Objectives:. Outline tangible element of a research question Identify decisions to be made for selection of research design Describe the purpose of literature review

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The Anatomy of Research

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  1. The Anatomy of Research Presented by: Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi, PhD September 2013

  2. Objectives: • Outline tangible element of a research question • Identify decisions to be made for selection of research design • Describe the purpose of literature review • Identify decisions to be made in choosing the study subjects • Identify decisions to be made in choosing study variables

  3. The Research Process The steps of any population health research project are:

  4. Identifying a study topic is often the most challenging part of a research project.Each of the possible study topics has its own set of virtues and shortcomings. What Is Research made of Study Question! ?

  5. Brainstorming • Review of previous scholarly work • Meeting experts • Attending conferences • Participating in meetings • Building relationship with an expert/mentor

  6. Brainstorming Questions

  7. Key Words: Example Initial brainstorming about aging Osteoporosis Falls Bedsores Physical therapy Calcium Rehabilitation Prevention Home safety Bone density

  8. Topic Mapping Begin by creating a long list of possible study topics: Jot down areas of personal interest Ask friends / colleagues for ideas Skim abstracts, journals, and books for inspiration What topics emerge as a repeating theme? What might be enjoyable to explore?

  9. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)

  10. Exposure, Disease, Population Most topics in population health research can be expressed in terms of: [exposure] and [disease/outcome] in [population]

  11. Examples of Types of Exposures

  12. Examples of Types of Diseases

  13. Examples of Types of Populations

  14. “EDP” Study Questions Are exercise habits [exposure] related to the risk of bone fractures [disease] in adults with diabetes [population]? Is reproductive history [exposure] related to the risk of stroke [disease] among women living in rural Ontario [population]? Is household wealth [exposure] related to the risk of hospitalization for asthma [disease] in Australian children younger than 5 years old [population]?

  15. FINER Criteria for a Research Question • F = Feasible • Adequate # of subjects, • Adequate technical expertise, • Affordable in time, money, • Manageable in scope. • It helps to know your limits early on to avoid wasting time and effort over something that is not going to work.

  16. FINER Criteria for a Research Question (cont.) • I = Interesting • Answering the question is interesting, not because, you have to do it. • Confirm the interest of the question with your mentor before investing energy and time in development of research protocol

  17. FINER Criteria for a Research Question (cont.) • N = Novel • It contributes to new information by: • confirming or refuting previous findings, • extends previous findings, • provides new findings • you should be able to answer the “so what” question

  18. FINER Criteria for a Research Question (cont.) • E = Ethical • A good research question should be ethical • It should not posses unacceptable physical risk to the subjects or invasion of their privacy • If so you need to find some other ways to answer your research question

  19. FINER Criteria for a Research Question (cont.) • R = Relevant Is the outcome of the study: • relevant to scientific knowledge, • clinical management, • health policy, and/or • guides future research direction

  20. Problems & Solutions The RQ is not FINER 1. Not feasible (too broad) • Not enough subject available • Method beyond your skills • Too expensive 2. Not interesting, novel, or relevant • Consult with your mentor • Modify RQ

  21. Problems & Solutions 3. • Uncertain ethical suitability • Consult with IRB • Modify RP 4. The study plan is vague • Write the outline of the RP as soon as you can

  22. Exercise • What is the relationship between depression and health? • Write in a single sentence a predictor, outcome, and population. • Discuss whether it meets the FINER criteria • Rewrite the sentence in a form that overcomes any problems in meeting criteria.

  23. Points to Consider • Is the question important and relevant? • Can the question be answered the way it is written? • To answer the question what needs to be defined? • Is the answer to the question population sensitive?

  24. Possible Answer • Among college freshmen, does depression assessed by the CES-D predict health status measured by the Rand General Health Questionnaire four years later?

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