1. MEDI6302 Session 1 Research Questions
Sydney
Broome
Fremantle

2. What is Scientific Research?
‘The systematic investigation of a question of interest using the scientific method.’
Etymology (Fr): recherché ‘to seek out with care’
Aims of research:
-to answer questions of interest or importance
-discovery, adding to the ‘tree of knowledge’
-making a difference (e.g. medical discovery)
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3. Scientific Method Idea The scientific method is Aims
about ‘distilling’ an idea
Aims
Research
Question
Hypothesis
Test
Accept or reject hypothesis
If the hypothesis is rejected, re-design & re-test the experiment?
© Eric J. Visser 2017 UNDA. All rights reserved

4. Research
Idea
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5. Research Idea All great research starts with a great idea.
Ideas: from observations, real-life experience, prior research.
Ideas: from brain-storming, collaborations, literature review.
Idea has to be ‘do-able’ & preferably ‘new’ (new science).
You don’t want to ‘reinvent the wheel’ (confirmation studies are fine).
Idea has to really interest you (or you might ‘give up’ on your project).
Will need time to ‘mull-over’, discuss & develop your idea.
Idea → is then developed (‘distilled’) into your research question(s).
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6. https://clinicaltrials.gov/
Learning task 1
Your Research
Idea(s)
List the main research idea(s) you want to explore in your study.
Develop these ideas into a statement (a few paragraphs) you can include in your introduction or abstract.
How can you find out if your idea is a ‘new idea’?
Hints:
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7. Aims Aims statement ‘makes the case’ for your research.
Important for grant applications (it’s your ‘sales pitch’).
Motivation, justification, support, objectives.
Presents your research question(s).
Sets stage for presenting the hypothesis.
Written at end of the introduction.
One or two paragraphs.
Clear & concise (so a layman can understand it).
© Eric J. Visser 2017 UNDA. All rights reserved

8. Learning task 2 Write a statement outlining the aims of your study.
Stating your Aims
Write a statement outlining the aims of your study.
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10. Research
Question(s)
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11. Research Question(s)
A good research question focuses and clarifies your ideas.
It re-states the aims of your study.
Plausible, testable & preferably ‘novel’ (new science).
Meaningful (practical benefits, groundwork for more research?).
A paragraph-or-two as part of the AIMS statement.
Clear & concise (so a layman understand it).
Research question → is developed into your hypothesis statement.
© Eric J. Visser 2017 UNDA. All rights reserved

12. Your research question(s) should state the… …of your study.
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13. Designing your Research Question
The PICOT approach
POPULATION you are studying? (who)
INTERVENTIONS you are testing? (what, how)
COMPARISONS or CONTROLS?
OUTCOMES you are measuring? (what, why)
TIMELINE of your study? (when)
‘Research Fundamentals’, A/Prof Skull, PMH 2017.
Thabane L, Thomas T, Ye C, Paul J. Posing the research question: not so simple. Can J Anaesth. 2009;56(1):71–79. doi: /s
© Eric J. Visser 2017 UNDA. All rights reserved

14. Learning task 3
Research Question
Using the PICOT approach, write the research question(s) for your study.
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16. Hypothesis H1
Etymology (Gk): Hypo (supports) — thesis (idea or statement)
Synonyms: postulation, prediction, expectation, ‘best-guess.’
‘H1 is a statement which postulates the experimental outcome.’
Must be ‘testable’ (by an experiment, usually a controlled trial).
Must be ‘verifiable’ or ‘refutable’ (using a statistical test).
H1 is ultimately either ‘accepted’ or ‘rejected.’
© Eric J. Visser 2017 UNDA. All rights reserved

17. Hypothesis
Statement
Remember: A H1 is NOT a question, but a testable statement.
H1 must outline the study variables.
-interventions, controls & outcomes
Use the PICOT approach to develop your H1 statement.
H1 is usually stated at beginning of methods section.
That’s because the H1 determines the experimental method.
Statement must be specific, clear & concise (one paragraph).
H1 should be reflected in abstract & title of the paper.
© Eric J. Visser 2017 UNDA. All rights reserved

18. Learning task 4 Define the following terms: Experimental hypothesis.
Types of Hypotheses
Define the following terms:
Experimental hypothesis.
Working hypothesis.
Alternative hypothesis. (H1)
Null hypothesis. (Ho)
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19. Learning task 5
Hypothesis
Statements
Using the PICOT approach, write the following hypothesis statements for your study:
Alternative hypothesis. (H1)
Null hypothesis. (Ho)
‘Encompass’ your hypothesis in the title of your paper.
© Eric J. Visser 2017 UNDA. All rights reserved

20. Glossary of terms & key learning outcomes
Learning task 6
Glossary of terms & key learning outcomes
Define the following terms:
Research.
Scientific Method.
Research Idea.
Research Aims.
Theory.
Thesis.
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21. Glossary of terms & key learning outcomes
Learning task 6
Glossary of terms & key learning outcomes
What are the key features of a research question?
What are the key features of a hypothesis?
Compare and contrast these two terms.
What is the place of hypothesis testing in a systematic review or meta-analysis?
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