1. Introduction to the course and to your assignment
Introduction to Research Methods Supercourse Formulating Research Problems, Questions and Hypotheses
Introduction to the course and to your assignment
All lectures from Workshop -
This project is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of the University of Pittsburgh and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States  Government.

2. This project is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

3. Special thank you to workshop organizers and Nazarbayev University for hosting us

5. What is this course designed to achieve?
Introduce the concept of research methods
Describe basic biostatistical methods
Introduce trainees to biostatistical software
Introduce trainees to publication and research process
Introduce steps needed in research development
Introduce the Central Asian Journal of Global Health (CAJGH)

6. Course assignment: Develop a research project
Learn the general steps in the research process from research idea to project implementation
Identify a research problem
Define research questions, directional and non-directional hypotheses
Identify the best possible research design for your hypotheses

7. Research Defined
Research is an organized and systematic way to find answers to questions
Research is a creative process

8. 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.

9. The Research Idea Professional experience Burning questions Literature
Professional meetings
Discussions

10. Criteria for developing a good research question
Feasible
Interesting
Novel
Ethical
Relevant
Cummings et al. 2001

11. 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?

12. A Research Question Must Identify
The variables under study
The population being studied
The testability of the question

13. Variables in research Have 2 or more properties or qualities
Age, sex, weight, height
Is one variable related to another?
“ Is X related to Y? What is the effect of X on Y?” etc.

14. Variables in research Independent variable: Dependent variable:
has a presumed effect on the dependent variable (outcome)
May or may not be manipulated
Dependent variable:
Something that varies with a change in the independent variable
Outcome variable

15. Hypothesis
Statement about the relationship between 2 or more variables
Converts the question into a statement that predicts an expected outcome
A unit or subset of the research problem

16. Characteristics of hypotheses
Declarative statement that identifies the predicted relationship between 2 or more variables
Testability
Based on sound scientific theory/rationale

17. Directional vs. Non-Directional Hypotheses
Directional hypothesis
Specifies the direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variables
Non-directional hypothesis
Shows the existence of a relationship between variables but no direction is specified

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

19. Prepare PowerPoint presentaiton
10 minutes long
~10 slides
Select 1 presenter from each group
Present during the last day
Each presentation should include research area, significance, hypothesis, and rough design of the experiment

20. Practical applications of this project?
Create your own research project
Understand published research papers
Understand presentations at scientific conferences
Publish your research!!

21. Central Asian Journal of Global Health
Welcome!

22. What is CAJGH Biannual open access journal
Focus area is Central Asian Region
Peer reviewed
Started in April 2012 as a part of USAID project
Distinguished Editorial Advisory board

24. Questions?
4/19/2017