1. CLINICAL RESEARCH: An Introduction
M1 Lecture Series

2. Learning Objectives
To appreciate the importance of research in medicine
To be able to carry out basic research and present the findings of same

3. Research Defined
Research is an organized and systematic way to find answers to questions
A systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge

4. Goal: ……….. Contribute to Generalizable Knowledge
Alexander Fleming

5. Why is research important to medicine and public health?
Knowledge obtained from sound research is transformed into clinical practice, leading to medical practice that is evidence-based

6. Innovate!

7. Getting Started……. Curiosity Research Idea Research Question
Research Title

8. The Research Idea Guided by….. Professional experience
Burning questions
Literature
Professional meetings
Discussions

9. Features of a Good Research Question
Feasible
Interesting
Novel
Ethical
Relevant

10. Good Research Question?
Feasible
Subjects
Resources
Manageable
Data available?
Interesting
Novel
In relation to previous findings
Confirm or refute?
New setting, new population
Ethical
Social or scientific value
Safe
Relevant
Advance scientific knowledge?
Influence clinical practice?
Impact health policy?
Guide future research?

11. Research Title
Developed from the research question.
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12. Introduction Gives a background to the study
Dovetails into the rationale and justification for the study
This is followed by objectives
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13. Formulate Research Objectives
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-bound

14. Hypothesis
Statement about the relationship between 2 or more variables
Converts the research question into a statement that predicts an expected outcome

15. Literature Review Review available literature on the proposed research
Identify the gaps in knowledge that your proposed research will fill
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16. Doing Literature Search
Use search engines;
Google?
Google scholar?
Pubmed? (
Manual search in the library
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17. Method Research design Study population Sample size
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Data collection method
Ethical consideration
Data analysis plan…..use of statistical software e.g. SPSS, Epi-Info, Stata, e.t.c

18. Finding appropriate research design
Cohort
Cross sectional
Case control
Clinical trial

19. Your Research

20. Results Presentation of the findings of the study
Use tables and figures
Presented in past tense
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21. Discussion Discuss your findings
Compare your findings with previous workers’
Advance reasons for any perceived difference
Identify new research areas
Identify limitations of the study
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22. Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclude based on your findings
Make recommendations based on your findings and conclusions
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23. References Use Vancouver style
Author’s Surname, followed by initials. Title of the article. Journal, Year of publication; Volume (issue): page number.
If more than 6 authors, use et al after the 6th author.
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24. Applying Results of Research
Informed Management of patients
Evidence Based Medicine
Clinicians need information for immediate and ongoing patient management

25. About 1/2 of ‘valid’ evidence today is out of date in 5 years
About 1/2 of valid evidence is not implemented
ScienceCartoonsPlus.com

26. EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE

27. What is EBM?
The revised and improved definition of evidence-based medicine is “the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values”
It reflects a systematic approach to clinical problem solving.
(Sackett DL, Strauss SE, Richardson WS, et al. Evidence-based medicine: how to practice and teach EBM. 2nd Ed. London: Churchill-Livingstone,2000)
Realizing this, Sackett revised his definition in 2000 to be the “integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.” This recognizes the importance of a physician’s clinical expertise as well as patient values must be considered.

28. Conclusion Research is important Curiosity is needed
We can improve practice with good research
Various problems can be solved with good application of research findings

29. Questions ???