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Research - An Overview.pptx

This document provides an overview of the research process. It defines research as a systematic effort to gain new knowledge through discovery of facts and interpretation of evidence. The key aspects of research discussed include formulating a research question, developing a hypothesis, using the scientific method to test the hypothesis through experiments, analyzing data, and disseminating findings through publications or presentations. Original contributions, rigorous methodology, and sharing results are emphasized as important to high-quality research.

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Research – An Overview R.C. Gupta MD (Biochemistry) NIMS, Jaipur
What is research? No single definition Defined in different ways by different persons
Some definitions A systematic effort to gain new knowledge A careful investigation for new facts Discovery of new facts and their interpretation Revision of theories in the light of new facts What is common is the word ‘new’
Research is ... Discovery of new facts or knowledge Adding new information to existing knowledge New practical application of knowledge
Scientific research Unlike other disciplines, scientific research doesn’t depend solely uponː Mental processes Critical thinking Reasoning Personal opinions
Scientific research requires scientific method Scientific method generally has four stepsː Making an observation Forming a hypothesis Testing the hypothesis Reaching a conclusion 1 2 3 4
Observation – Drug X decreases blood pressure Hypothesis – Drug X can be used to treat hypertension Testing – Give drug X to a group of hyper- tensives and monitor blood pressure Conclusion – Drug X is or is not useful in treating hypertension
Observation – Drug X decreases blood pressure Hypothesis – Drug X is better than the older drug Y in controlling blood pressure Testing – Give drug X and drug Y to two groups and monitor blood pressure Conclusion – Drug X is or is not better than drug Y in treating high blood pressure Controlled study
Scientific research generally begins with a research question and/or a hypothesis A hypothesis is an assumption based on some evidence A research question is an unanswered question
The researcher tests the hypothesis to find out whether it is correct To test the hypothesis, the researcher has to use certain methods A methodical study would test the hypo- thesis and answer the research question
Frame the research question Form a hypothesis Collect data to test the hypothesis Interpret data to answer the question Research methodology
Question Search literature Form hypothesis Conduct experiments Collect data Interpret data Share knowledge New questions arise
Merit of the research depends uponː Selection of problem The “research topic” is really a “problem” which the researcher tries to solve How important the problem is How useful the solution provided is
Before finalizing the problem, look at itsː Relevance Originality Feasibility Cost effectiveness Ethical issues
Framing the research question Success of research depends upon how well the research question is framed The question tells us whether the problem is relevant, important and researchable The research question should be specific and precise
Research question – The PICO format P I C Outcome O Population Intervention Comparison
Population The study population Intervention Treatment, procedure, test etc Comparison The population for comparison Outcome The effect of the intervention The question should describe P, I, C & O
Is pain medication more effective than aerobic stretching in controlling post- operative pain in adult patients with total hip replacement? A sample research question P – Adults with total hip replacement I – Pain medication C – Aerobic stretching O ̶ Post-operative pain
Research question – Criteria F – Feasible I – Interesting The research question should meet FINER criteria N – Novel E – Ethical R – Relevant
A research problem, framed as a question, is the precursor to hypothesis Hypothesis is a paring down of the problem into something verifiable or falsifiable A researcher must generate a realistic and testable hypothesis Hypothesis
Experiments to be done are built around the hypothesis The results of the experiments either verify or falsify the hypothesis
Types of hypo- thesis Null hypothesisː Meant to be nullified Alternative hypothesisː Meant to be verified
Examples of hypo- thesis Null hypothesisː Drug X does not decrease serum cholesterol Alternative hypothesisː Drug X decreases serum cholesterol
Testing of hypothesis Design experiment Collect data Examine the data statistically
Decide the type of subjects Decide the sample size Sample size should be large enough to permit valid statistical analysis Have an adequately sized group for comparison Designing experiments
Choose the experiments (e.g. measure- ment of serum cholesterol) Decide upon the instruments, reagents, etc required Take ethical clearance before starting animal or human experiments
Perform experiments Collect data Organize data Evaluate data
Data analysis requires statistical tools Use of statistics Using appropriate statistical tests helps in correct interpretation of data Statistical tests ensure that the changes observed are not chance variations
Originality and novelty are of paramount importance in research Originality in research If the problem you are investigating has already been solved, you will get no credit
In biomedical research, some repetitive studies may be justified because of: Regional variations Racial variations Ethnic variations
Repetition is justified if earlier work has resulted in a controversy Repetition is specially justified if you are using: Bigger sample size Better experimental techniques Better study design
Literature search shows us what has been done about the problem in the past A thorough literature search is essential to ensure originality Literature search
Literature search will show what is known and what is not known about the problem What is known can help us in refining the research question What is not known can show the way for new work
Literature search can also provide information aboutː The methods to be used The sample size The type of study
Literature to be searched can beː Primary literature Secondary literature Tertiary literature
Papers published in journals Primary literature Give authentic information
Secondary literature Review articles and meta-analyses Compiled from primary sources and evaluated Reliable if taken from high quality sources
Derives information from primary/secondary literature Examples are reference books Reliability depends upon the reputation of the author Tertiary literature
A number of print journals are now available online also In many cases, back issues are also available Some of these can be viewed or downloaded only on payment Online resources
A number of databases are available online These include PubMed, MedlinePlus, Embase, Web of Science, OVID etc Most of these databases provide only the Abstracts of papers
No single database can provide all the information A number of databases should be searched to ensure thoroughness
Literature search will also be useful while writing thesis or paper Pertinent references will need to be cited in the thesis or the paper Ensure accuracy of the references that you cite
Accuracy of references Inaccurate references in a thesis can annoy the examiner Alternatively, check from a reliable database As far as possible, see the original paper Inaccurate references in a paper can annoy the referee
What next? You have done all the hard work You have discovered a new fact Hypothesis has been verified or falsified Research question has been answered
Hence, you must share the facts you have discovered If you keep your research to yourselfː You will get no credit Others will tread the same path Society will not be benefitted
In either case, you have to first write a research paper You can disseminate your research byː Presenting it in a conference Publishing it in a journal
Papers sent to journals are reviewed by independent experts (referees) They are accepted for publication only after approval by referee(s) Publications in reputed journals are read widely and have a long shelf-life Such publications add to the prestige of the author
Research - An Overview.pptx