Introduction to Research for Physical Therapy Students

Six Honest Serving -Men

Outline Definition of Research Reasons for doing Research Who should research? Types of Research Approaches to Research Barriers of research

Definition of Research Research is the application of the scientific method for systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to answer a certain question or solve a problem The word research is derived from the old French word “cerchier” meaning to seek or search or to search again or carefully examine It is important to follow cascading scientific steps when conducting research

Scientific Methods of Solving Research Problems No Answers Answers found No needs for study

Reasons for Doing Research Develop body of knowledge Determine whether intervention work Improve patients and client care For Students : Research help them to acquire skills such as: Think critically. In-depth knowledge Creativity Logic & objectivity Presentation skills. For Students : Research help them to acquire skills such as: Think critically. In-depth knowledge Creativity Logic & objectivity Presentation skills. For qualified therapists: research experience will help to: Establish & develop evidence- base Identify gaps in knowledge. Add to the knowledge base Establish efficacy & benefits of new interventions. Evaluate clinical effectiveness. Develop theoretical understanding of therapeutic process and outcomes. For qualified therapists: research experience will help to: Establish & develop evidence- base Identify gaps in knowledge. Add to the knowledge base Establish efficacy & benefits of new interventions. Evaluate clinical effectiveness. Develop theoretical understanding of therapeutic process and outcomes.

Who Should Research? Members of the profession are likely to be the best researchers for building the body of knowledge of that profession.  Clinical researcher  Academic staff.  Student (under-graduated or post-graduated )  Health care providers  Organization

Who Should Research? Members of the profession Who will conduct the research should have certain qualification and characteristics. Curiosity. & Motivated Creative thinking & Imagination. Perceptive and Observational abilities.Positive attitude. Considerable amount of knowledge. Honest/ Patience

Types of Research Basic Applied Type of research that may have limited direct application but in which the researcher has careful control of the conditions. It is often called pure research It conducted for the purpose of theory development & and increase understanding of fundamental principle Type of research that may have limited direct application but in which the researcher has careful control of the conditions. It is often called pure research It conducted for the purpose of theory development & and increase understanding of fundamental principle Type of research that has direct value to practitioners but in which the researcher has limited control over the research setting. It is often called clinical research It is a systematic method of evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. It can solve immediate clinical problem. Type of research that has direct value to practitioners but in which the researcher has limited control over the research setting. It is often called clinical research It is a systematic method of evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. It can solve immediate clinical problem.

Types of Research ExperimentalNon –Experimental Treatments are given to subjects Cause-and-effect questions Treatments are given to subjects Cause-and-effect questions Treatments are not given to subjects Participants are observed as they naturally exist Is more descriptive, e.g. questionnaire, interview or direct observation Treatments are not given to subjects Participants are observed as they naturally exist Is more descriptive, e.g. questionnaire, interview or direct observation Survey (poll) Case study Correlational Historical Pre-Experimental True Experimental: Independent Groups True Experimental: Related Groups Quasi Experimental Pre-Experimental True Experimental: Independent Groups True Experimental: Related Groups Quasi Experimental

Types of Research QualitativeQuantitative data are gathered such that they can be analyzed through informed judgment data are gathered such that they can be quantified and subjected to statistical analyses Numerical data collected & analyzed Explores relationship between variables Independent (single or multi-leveled) Dependent (single or multiple) Experimental

Barriers of Conducting Research Barriers of doing research ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS CLINICIAN BARRIERS PROFESSIONAL BARRIERS RESEARCHER RELATED BARRIERS

Barriers of Conducting Research ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS Lack of research mentor Lack of fund Lack of time Lack of supporting resources

Barriers of Conducting Research CLINICAL BARRIERS Lack of research mentor Lack of research knowledge Lack of positive Attitude Lack of supporting resources

Barriers of Conducting Research PROFESSIONAL BARRIERS Lack of statistical support Lack of familiarity with research process Lack of positive Attitude Ethical Concern

Overcoming Barriers while Conducting Research