Quantitative Research Methods 101

1. Selecting Research Topic

2. Session Outlines
 How to find a research Topic
 Criteria of good research topic

3. Read medical literature

5. Attend scientific meetings

6. Be good observer

7. Develop critical mindset when
reading scientific evidence

8. Ask Experts in the field

9. Criteria of good research Topic

10. Feasible
 Adequate number of subjects
 Adequate technical expertise
 Affordable in time and money
 Manageable in scope

11. Interesting
Getting the answer intrigues the investigator and her friends

12. Novel
 Confirms, refutes or extends previous findings
 Provides new findings

13. Ethical
Amenable to a study that institutional review board will approve

14. Relevant
 To scientific knowledge
 To clinical and health policy
 To future research

15. Criterion Main questions Strategies to meet criteria
Feasibility • Are there enough
subjects?
• Is there enough
technical expertise?
• Is the proposed time
frame appropriate?
• Is there availability
of facilities and
equipment?
• Are there enough
team members?
• Is there sufficient
financial support?
• Perform preliminary calculation of the sample
size
• Estimate subject availability and lack of follow-
up
• Do a pilot study to assess feasibility
• Expand inclusion criteria or eliminate
unnecessary exclusion criteria
• Lengthen time frame for enrolling subjects
• Consider conducting multicenter study
• Consider using less Costly study designs and
common outcomes
• Develop additional sources of funding
• Reduce number of secondary questions

16. Criterion Main questions Strategies
to meet criteria
Interesting Is the question
interesting to
the scientific and
non-scientific
community?
Make sure the questions
interests:
You as a researcher
Mentors, peers, and
Colleagues Funding
institutions
General community

17. Criterion Main questions Strategies
to meet criteria
Novel What has been
done?
Does the question
bring innovation
 Thoroughly review the
literature
 Consult experts about
 ongoing research
Search internet
databases for current
clinical trials

18. Criterion Main questions Strategies
to meet criteria
Ethical Does the project
meet the ethical
standards of
the research
community?
 Review and check
required research
ethics guidelines
 Get research ethics
approval prior to
Initiation Consult IRB
representative in case
of doubts

19. Criterion Main questions Strategies
to meet criteria
Relevant Does the question
further medical
science?
 Get guidance from a
mentor
 Discuss project with
experts from the field
 Be up-to-date with
current literature on the
theme

20. Practice time