Scientific Method Research Question MPH 606 Dr. Lindsey (Fenix) Ho

What is Research? As old as Time (Egypt, India, China, Mesopotamia) Not exclusive to: Humans, Adults, Scientists, Universities or Public Health Formal (Western) Scientific Method 1200s (Renaissance) Still developing and changing *** French: "recherche", which means to go about seeking 1) A Problem, Question or Idea 2) A Process of Exploration and Discovery 3) A Finding or Result (sometimes) Research is: 2

Flashlight Example Question: Who can turn on this flashlight? Informal Hypothesis: 10% of students cannot turn this flashlight on. Test: Volunteers come forward under different conditions to turn the light on What other Challenges could occur? Develop General Theory Explore related ideas 3

Light Example part 2 Just when you *THINK* you understand everything about turning on the flashlight…. (who, what where, why, when, how) Something extraordinary/unusual can turn on the flashlight on like this: (Joseph Enterprises, 2011) You have found a NEW variable A NEW research Question to test. 4 Video Here

No Light = Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Mutation What is Cystic Fibrosis? Cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis (CF), is the thickening of mucus which leads to lung infections and intestinal blocks, among other symptoms. What causes Cystic Fibrosis? The disease is caused by a single gene affected by one or more of the more than 1,700 mutations.more than 1,700 mutations (Hopkinsmedicine: 5 May 2016) 5

No Light = Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Mutation Available at: (Accessed: 5 May 2016). Cystic Fibrosis: mutations effect CFTR gene which prevent CFTR protein synthesis Light Example Mutation: Hands behind back, blind folded, light hidden, people blocking access Healthy (Hopkinsmedicine: 5 May 2016) 6

Cystic Fibrosis CF is a malfunctioning of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The gene caries the blueprint for the CFTR protein. CFTR is like the mail slot in a front door. It forms a small passageway between the inside and outside of the cell. CFTR encourages water to follow in and out of a cell. That water helps form thin layers of mucus. CF = Mutation of CFTR gene = Thick Mucus (Cystic fibrosis, 2016) 7

Cystic Fibrosis Scientific Method: Observation: Drug-based therapies won’t work for all patients with CF. In the liver, thick mucus causes liver disease, and reduces absorption of nutrients Question: Can increasing bile flow in CF patients improve absorption of nutrients, and improved quality of life? Hypothesis: CF patients who drink olive oil/lemon juice to increase bile flow, will improve absorption of nutrients as measured through clinical blood values. Test: Control and intervention group. 6 months blood value follow-up. Refine: Increase/decrease intervention protocol, add clinical variables to measure. Results/Theories: Drinking ¼ cup olive oil with ½ lemon juice before bed for 6 months improves bile production, which enhances digestion. Study group A had an average weight gain of xx.xx and improved clinical tests yy, zz, aa. Pick one small specific, quantifiable topic to research 8

Steps for the Scientific Method (“The_Scientific_Method_3,” n.d.)

Research Question The Question is the Foundation of the Research Study: Clarifies what the researcher wants to describe Bridge between a research problem and a detailed plan for study design. Target population Sample Data collection method Measures Analysis Forum for reporting the results 10

2 Types of Research Questions Descriptive How often does x occur ? Has the incidence increased ? What number/ percentage of y is there ? When did it start ? Where did it start ? Who is affected ? Causal Does x cause y ? Why does x cause y ? Does x effect/affect y? Does x make y better/worse ? 11

F.I.N.E.R.- Questions Good Research Questions: Feasible – it must be possible to answer the question analytically (scientifically, time, resources) Interesting – the question should generate interest especially for the researcher Novel – the question should add something new to the field of research Ethical – procedures needed to answer the question must not compromise the protection of human subjects Relevant – the question should address issues that are timely, have an impact on the study population, and make a contribution to the field of study 12

Descriptive vs. Causal Qs. Identify Descriptive (D) versus Causal (C) 1)Are obese individuals more likely to have cardiovascular disease (CVD)? C 2)Do Indians have a higher prevalence of Type 2 diabetes? D 3)Has the incidence of colorectal cancer increased from last year? D 4)Where/When was the first case of Ebola? D 5)Do vaccines cause birth defects? C 13

Specific and Quantifiable 具体, 量化 1) Are obese individuals more likely to have cardiovascular disease (CVD)? -> Obese adults (BMI>30) in Haiti are how much more likely to be diagnosed with CVD? 2) Do the Indians have a higher prevalence of Type 2 diabetes ? -> What is the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Pima Indian children, under the age of 12 years old compared with their caucasian peers? 3 ) Has the incidence of colorectal cancer increased from last year? -> By how much has the incidence of colorectal cancer increased from last year in Suffolk County, England? 4) Where/When was the first case of Ebola? -> On what date, and in which village was the first case of Ebola documented in a clinic in Libya in 2015? 14

Specific and Quantifiable 具体, 量化 5) Do vaccines cause autism? -> Does the MMR vaccine, when given to prematurely born infants raise the Relative Risk of a child being diagnosed with autism by the age of 2? 15

Every question is Specific and Quantifiable* Who ? What ? When ? Where ? Why ? How ? Unless it is a qualitative research question/study Specific and Quantifiable 具体, 量化 16

Where do Research Questions Come From? Let life INSPIRE you Daily life: Do smartphones make us dumber? Relevant Public Health Event: What percentage of air pollution in Beijing comes from industry? Further Understanding in Specific Topic: What other genetic markers could contribute to breast cancer? 17

Summary Scientific Method: Research Questions How you ask a Question determines the rest of a study. Write Questions that are: Descriptive, Causal, Relevant, Specific, Quantifiable. Guide the formulation of hypothesis, data collection and analysis. Inspired by the World all around us -> home, school, vacation, TV, work, environment etc Cystic Fibrosis Basic Recipe 18

References 1)Joseph Enterprises (2011, November 1). The Clapper TV commercial Retrieved from 2)The_Scientific_Method_3. Retrieved May 3, 2016, from 3)Available at: research/fundamentals/in-depth/piecing-together-cystic-fibrosishttp:// research/fundamentals/in-depth/piecing-together-cystic-fibrosis 4)Cystic fibrosis (2016) Available at: 19