Research Methods Ass. Professor, Community Medicine, Community Medicine Dept, College of Medicine.

 Be able to identify different types of research design.  Understand the advantages and disadvantages of research design.  Be able to design, conduct specific type of research design. 2 Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods

 Science:  knowledge about the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world and society based on facts”. (Oxford Dictionary)  Scientific method :  “an approach to the acquisition of new knowledge” 3 Research Methods- Thinking about research & nature of research

 Research is “a systematic method of finding solution to a problem” (Kothari, 2004).  The systematic method consisting of stating the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the data, analyzing the facts & reaching certain conclusions. 4 Research Methods- Thinking about research & nature of research

 To get a degree.  To solve a problem.  To get familiarity with a phenomena.  Determine the frequency with which something occurs. Research Methods- Thinking about research & nature of research 5

6 The question The research process The answer

 Population: an entire body of people to which the researcher would like to generalize research findings.  Samples: a segment of the population.  Number of individuals (cases) are called sample size. Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 7

 Independent variable: a variable that brings a bout change in another variable. (i.e. the cause)  Dependent variable: is the outcome of the study that is changed by the independent variable Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 8

9

 Case study:  Includes either a single case (a case record) or a small number of cases (case series).  Each case is discussed in details.  The subject of the cases may be a person, an organization, a situation or a country.  Examples: ▪ Studying a case or a group of cases after Laser eye surgery. Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 10

 Survey:  Refers to the collection of information from a group of people belonging to a population of interest to make assumptions about that population.  The population of interest can be patients, learners (students), researchers or colleagues.  Collect quantitative data that are analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 11

 Experiment:  Attempts to discover a cause-effect relationship between two variables.  Has two main key elements: ▪ Experimental group.(Subjects exposed to the experimental variable in an experiment) ▪ Control group. (Subjects not exposed to the experimental variable in an experiment) Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 12

 Example: Randomized controlled trial (clinical trial) Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 13

 Cross-section. (Collect data at a particular time)  often employ the survey methodology (Easterby- Smith et al. 2008; Robson 2002)  Longitudinal. (Collect data over time)  study change and development (e.g. incidence). Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 14 Jan Jun. 2012

 Primary scientific paper.  Secondary scientific paper  A review paper which summarize other paper.  Two types: ▪ Narrative review ▪ Systematic review. Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 15

 Studies not been identified or analyzed in a systematic, standardized and objective way.  Provide an update on a certain subject,  Written by experts. Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 16

 Contains a clear statement on objectives.  Data sources for the papers are stated as well as the method of selection.  Ex: Meta-analysis  Composed of:  Abstract.  Introduction.  Methods.  Body of the review. Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 17

 Definition:  Critically review research studies and  statistically combine their data  to help answer questions that are beyond the power of single papers.  Sample size.  MetaView software. Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 18

Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 4: Formulating the research design & Data collection methods 19