PREPARING A RESEARCH PLAN MBBS HONOURS PROGRAM (WORKSHOP 3B) Jenny Zhang Research Fellow School of Medicine The University of Queensland

INTRODUCTION The research plan forms the basis of the research project and the subsequent work leading up to the preparation of the thesis. Purpose of writing a research plan is to - aid the researcher in his or her thought process - ensure research questions or hypotheses are relevant - the literature review is representative of existing studies - the research design is appropriate for addressing questions - (A well-written research plan) guide investigators through the research process (Figure 1) - lead to an easier final report after the research has been completed.

O UTLINE OF RESEARCH PLAN The title Statement of research problem Purpose of the study The research questions or hypotheses Literature review (gap and rationale) The methodologies that will be used to investigate the questions or hypotheses Expected outcomes Ethical consideration Timeline for the total project and thesis writing, including dates when key objectives should be met

THE TITLE Be concise Contain the key words of your topic Give the reader an idea of the sample and variables involved in the study Change the title at any time and confirmed at your final stage of the study. Example: Socioeconomic position and utilisation of preventive health services among adult in general population

RESEARCH PROBLEM, STUDY PURPOSE Identifying a research problem o Specifying a problem- o Justifying it o Suggesting the importance of the study Write up a “Statement of the problem” (Figure 2). Purpose of the Study o Identifying research aim (the purpose of statement -overall direction or focus of the study) and objectives (specific goals that researchers plan to achieve)

RESEARCH QUESTIONS Seek to inform the reader about an issue (has not been studied and add to the existing literature) Often are used in descriptive studies One or more, but no more than 3 or 4 Examples: Is any relationship between socioeconomic position and the preventive health services utilization ? What factors influence on the relationship between SEP and the use of the health services?

HYPOTHESES A statement of the expected relationship between the variables under study. Generally used if the research is more experimental or explanatory than descriptive in nature. One or more, but no more than 3 or 4 Examples: There is correlation between GPA and academic performance (a correlation study) Average iron status will be different for children whose family cooks in iron pots compared to children whose family cooks in aluminum pots (an experimental study)

LITERATURE REVIEW A review of the literature is essential in justifying and supporting the design of an effective research study. From the LR, Researchers learn/help o What studies have already done o How and why studies were conducted o Refine or redefine research questions o Provide a rationale for the proposed study

METHODOLOGY Study Design Primary data and secondary data Quantitative and qualitative method Cohort study, Case-control study, Cross-sectional study Data Collection o Identifying and selecting individuals for a study and study sites o Choosing a sampling method o Data collection method - Choosing a type of surveys Interviews, self-administered questionnaires o Selecting measurement instruments o Data entry and data management Data Analysis

EXPECTED OUTCOMES A statement in the research plan of what the researchers is intended to achieve in the study Written statements of specific, measurable, realistic statements of goal attainment Examples: “T he study will develop valid and reliable scales to measure the factors on the relationship between SEP and the use of health services.” “This research will provide, in the Australian context, evidence that will underpin better selection and educational practices in Australian medical schools, leading ultimately to a better prepared and more professionally behaved medical workforce.”

RESEARCH TIMELINE Year/m Key dates Activities Assessment Oral Presentation27-29/04 Literature review29/06/2011 Thesis submission20/07/2012 Research Process Research questions Study design Literature review Ethics application Data collection Data analysis Thesis writing

I MPORTANT MESSAGE Write a research plan before your research commences, as a guide Prepare your oral presentation based on your research plan –make easier Read the relevant information- the list of references Good Luck!