Research Methodologies in Allied Health SAHP 418/518 Research Planning Sandra Gunselman, Ph.D.

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My Contact Info Durham Research Center Room# 8062 Durham Research Center Room# 8062 Office phone # Office phone #

WHY DO RESEARCH Multidisciplinary research is trend of future Multidisciplinary research is trend of future Funding the “big picture” Funding the “big picture” Better patient care Better patient care Personal development and challenges Personal development and challenges

Today’s Objectives After lecture and class discussion, you will be able to: – –Brainstorm ideas for a research proposal – –Give at least three reasons that a literature review is essential to a research proposal – –Formulate a research hypothesis.

Planning Your Research

The Scientific Method 1. State the problem 2. State a testable or measurable hypothesis 3. Plan the methods to be used for the study 4. Do the study 5. Analyze the data 6. State the conclusions

Steps in Research Planning I. Identification of the research problem II. Retrieval and critical evaluation of literature III. Formulation of precise research aims or hypotheses

I. Identification of a problem A. Select a topic that interests you What am I interested in? What am I interested in? What is relevant to my practice? What is relevant to my practice? What is unresolved in the literature? What is unresolved in the literature? What is of concern to society or my profession? What is of concern to society or my profession?

B. Select a problem that will increase scientific knowledge That is meaningful. That is meaningful. That is appropriate for scientific inquiry. That is appropriate for scientific inquiry. That is “doable”. That is “doable”. Write your problem in a sentence or two. Write your problem in a sentence or two.

Some advice for your proposal Make it a question that has a Make it a question that has a yes or no answer of equal importance. Write down references as you find and use them! Write down references as you find and use them!

II. Do a literature search To make certain no one else has done it. To make certain no one else has done it. To identify problems you may encounter. To identify problems you may encounter. To identify how you can add to previous work. To identify how you can add to previous work. Find how your problem fits into the theory base. Find how your problem fits into the theory base. To get ideas on measurement tools. To get ideas on measurement tools. To refine your question or hypothesis. To refine your question or hypothesis.

Break from PowerPoint The speaker has left the PowerPoint presentation and is demonstrating the website that is shown in the next six slides online in the classroom. You can follow along with the slides, or you may go to the website at:

How To Read A Research Manuscript Authorship Authorship Journal Type/Ranking- Nature, Science Journal Type/Ranking- Nature, Science Abstract Abstract Introduction Introduction Materials and methods Materials and methods Results Results Discussion Discussion References – always get primary knowledge when possible! References – always get primary knowledge when possible!

First author Last author

Words to know Cohort - A generational group as defined in demographics, statistics, or market research: “The cohort of people aged 30 to ” Cohort - A generational group as defined in demographics, statistics, or market research: “The cohort of people aged 30 to ” Confounder - To cause to become confused or perplexed. Confounder - To cause to become confused or perplexed.

III. Formulate Precise Research Aims or Hypotheses Purpose: brief statement that identifies the specific intent of the study Purpose: brief statement that identifies the specific intent of the study Hypothesis: statement of the likely outcome of a study. Hypothesis: statement of the likely outcome of a study.

A hypothesis is... A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. (no or tentative data) A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. (no or tentative data)

Theory is... A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena. (based on data) A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena. (based on data)

Formulating Hypothesis 1. Research strategy 2. Variables 3. Sampling 4. Economic considerations 5. Ethical considerations

1.Research Strategy Non-experimental vs. experimental Non-experimental strategy (Chapter 16) Non-experimental strategy (Chapter 16) no independent variable PopulationSampleData Definition of population Selection of cases to be studied Observation and study of cases

Experimental strategy Experimental strategy Independent variable(s) available PopulationSampleAssignment Definition of population Selection of cases to be studied Group 1 Group 2 Data InterventionObservation

2. Variables things that we measure, control, or manipulate in research. Independent variable: variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher Independent variable: variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher Dependent variable: variable that is only measured to determine if it is affected by the independent variable Dependent variable: variable that is only measured to determine if it is affected by the independent variable

Determining Independent vs. Dependent Variables “How does the independent variable affect the dependent variable? Or “How does x affect y ?”

9/11 pollution possible cause of smaller babies. The Vancouver Sun, 8/16/03

Secondhand Smoke, Past Tobacco Habits Irreversibly Damage Arteries in Study 1/14/98 Wall Street Journal

It’s True: Stress Can Make You Forget, Scientists Say Omaha World Herald 8/20/98

For your proposal: What variables will you study? What variables will you study? What independent variable are you manipulating? What independent variable are you manipulating? What dependent variable do you expect to measure for change? What dependent variable do you expect to measure for change?

3. Sampling (Research Subjects) Who or what? Who or what? Where? Where? How many? How many?

4. Economic Considerations What resources do you have? What resources do you have? What expenses are involved? What expenses are involved? Do you need any equipment? Do you need any equipment? What expertise do you need? What expertise do you need? Do you have time? Do you have time?

5. Ethical Considerations Are you using human subjects or their protected health information (PHI)? Are you using human subjects or their protected health information (PHI)? Is the intervention ethical? Is the intervention ethical? Is IRB approval needed? Is IRB approval needed?

Is there any truly objective research??? Just the facts; uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summary Planning is vital first step for conducting research Planning is vital first step for conducting research Define and state the problem Define and state the problem Search the literature Search the literature Form hypothesis Form hypothesis Consider resources Consider resources

Critical Evaluation of Research What is the independent variable? What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? What is the dependent variable? Who or what comprised the sample? Who or what comprised the sample? What is the research question? What is the research question? Why is this question important? Why is this question important? What six key issues were identified in the literature review? What six key issues were identified in the literature review? Are all findings in the literature review in agreement? Are all findings in the literature review in agreement?

Group Work Divide into groups by discipline Divide into groups by discipline Use “Research Proposal Notebook” to: Use “Research Proposal Notebook” to: –Brainstorm for topics –Work through questions 1-8 –Report research question for research proposal