MPH

1. Introduction

2. What is it?
• Study health related parameters through
• Using scientific method to
• Solve any problem or answer a question and
• Publish
• So research starts with
?

3. What is Research
Research is the systematic method of
collection, analysis, and interpretation of
data to answer a certain question or solve
a problem

4. Blending subject
• Research is the systematic method
–Epidemiology
• Research is the collection, analysis, and
interpretation of data
–Biostatistics

5. From respondent to population
Respondent
answers to
quenstions
Inference
Characteristics of the
respondent Statistical
analysis
Characteristics of the
sample
Characteristics of the
population
Inference

6. How a problem lead to research
1. Perceived difference or discrepancy between
what exists and what should exist
2. The reason(s) for this difference should be
unclear (so it leads to bring up question in
mind) and
3. There should be more than one possible
answer to the question or solution to the
problem

7. Research Problem
• A situation or circumstance requiring solution
with description, explanation and prediction
• Situation is unsatisfactory (so need to be
addressed)
• Establishes the importance
• Focuses on how the work to find the answer
would add to existing knowledge

8. General
Specific
Topic
Research
Problem
Purpose
Research
Question
Child care & Social protection
Early marriage among girls
To explore strengths and weakness
of child protection system in
preventing early marriage
Does child protection scheme
prevent early marriage?

9. The terminologies
• Research topic: broad subject matter being
addressed in a study
• Research problem: situation or circumstance
that requires a solution
• Purpose: major intent or objective of the
study
• Research question(s): those that the
researcher would like answered or addressed
from the study

10. Characteristics of research
♣ Demands a clear statement of the problem
♣ Requires a plan
♣ Builds on existing data, using both positive and
negative findings and
♣ New data should be collected as required and
be organized in such a way that they answer
the original research question(s)

11. How to do Research
• Identify an issue, question, or problem
– Talk with people who want or need your study
• Find out what's already known about it
– Talk with experts
– Read their reviews and the original research on the
topic
• Make plan & do the work
– Follow epidemiological methods
– Collect information (literature and data)
– Assess the finding

12. What to do after finishing the work
• Write the report and submit it for assessment
• If a good job is done submit for publication
– The work will benefit more people if you publish
– There are two ways: publish or perish
• If the work isn’t so good
– Even then publish
– Try to establish your skill in scientific explanation
• Remember always
– Publish and publish and publish
– It is to clean yourself from unfinished job

14. Types of Research
• Qualitative
– Mainly done by social scientists
– Qualitative aspect evaluated
– Commonly done by case studies
– Health system research
• Quantitative
– Almost everyone is involved
– Qualitative aspect derived from quantitative work
– Health parameter research

15. Other types of Research
• Basic
– Explore basic knowledge
– Generate theoretical knowhow
– Not involved to analyze a problem
• Applied
– Analyze a problem
– Decision can be made
– Course of action sought to solve
• Operations/Action
– To define needs
– Search key problems to hinder service
– Apply solutions to improve service

16. Other types of Research
• Evaluation
– Analyze a given set of standards
– Appraisal of an ongoing program or project
– To assess whether the objective is met or not
– Determine the merit or quality
• Two types of evaluation
– Formative: during the ongoing activity of organization
or program
• Aim: improvement of the activity
– Summative: assessment at the end of program
• Aim: continue or discontinue the work

17. Criteria for selecting a research topic
1. Relevance
2. Avoidance of duplication
3. Feasibility
4. Political acceptability
5. Applicability
6. Urgency of data needed
7. Ethical acceptability

18. SCALES FOR RATING RESEARCH TOPICS
Relevance
• How large or widespread is the problem?
• Who is affected?
• How severe is the problem?
Scoring system for relevance
1. = Not relevant
2. = Relevant
3. = Very relevant

19. SCALES FOR RATING RESEARCH TOPICS
Avoidance of duplication
• Has somebody had same/similar question?
• Has the question been answered?
Scoring for duplication check
1. = Sufficient information already available
2. = Some information available but major issues not
covered
3. = No sound information available on which to base
problem-solving

20. SCALES FOR RATING RESEARCH TOPICS
Feasibility
1. = Study not feasible considering available
resources
2. = Study feasible considering available resources
3. = Study very feasible considering available
resources

21. SCALES FOR RATING RESEARCH TOPICS
Political acceptability
1. = Topic not acceptable to high level
policymakers
2. = Topic more or less acceptable
3. = Topic fully acceptable

22. SCALES FOR RATING RESEARCH TOPICS
Applicability
1. = No chance of recommendations being
implemented
2. = Some chance of recommendations being
implemented
3. = Good chance of recommendation being
implemented

23. SCALES FOR RATING RESEARCH TOPICS
Urgency
1. = Information not urgently needed
2. = Information could be used right away but a
delay of some months would be acceptable
3. = Data very urgently needed for decision-
making

24. SCALES FOR RATING RESEARCH TOPICS
Ethical acceptability
1. = Major ethical problems
2. = Minor ethical problems
3. = No ethical problems

25. Prioritize a research topic
1. If the criteria add up to ≥ 16: Very good to start
2. If the criteria add up to 12-15: Don’t discard, but
not so suitable to start right now
3. If the criteria add up <12: Can’t pass the decision
threshold

26. Steps involved in a research
Problem Identification (well defined problem is
half work done)
oProblem Analysis
oTitle Selection
oVariable Identification
Review of Literature (throughout)
Hypothesis Formulation (if any)/ Research
Question(s)
Objectives Setting
Methods and Materials
Budgeting

27. Steps involved in a research
Decide on sampling design and sample size
Constructing data collection instrument
Pre-testing, modifying and finalizing
Data collection
Data editing and record keeping
Data analysis and interpretation of results

28. Steps involved in a research
Results/ Findings
Discussion and conclusion
Recommendations
Dissemination of research finding
Budgeting