Research in health sciences

1. D R . H E T A P A T E L ( P T )
P H . D . S C H O L A R
STATING THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM

2. Generally follows the steps:
Identifying the variable
Structuring the problem statement

3. Where to state the problem?
 Follows the introduction
 Point out the Literature review in the introductory
sections
 Proceed to formal statement of the problem

4. Identifying the variables
What is variables?
 A variable is a characteristic or feature that varies, or
changes within a study.
 How to identify the variable?
 In an experimental example: if a study is
investigating the differences between males and
females, gender would be a variable.

5. How to identify the different types of variables?
Independent variables
Dependent variables
Categorical variables
Extraneous variables

6. Independent variables
 Experimental or treatment variable – cause
 In experimental research: an investigator
manipulates one variable and measures the effect of
that manipulation on another variable.
 The variable that the researcher manipulates is
called the independent, or grouping variable.

7. Example
 A study in which the investigators want to determine
how often an exercise must be done to increase
strength.

8.  These investigators decided to compare 3 groups,
 one group participate in a set of specific exercises 4
times per week;
 a second group would do the same exercises, but
only twice per week
 a control group would participate in stretching
exercises that would have no impact on strength.

9.  The variable that differs between these 3 groups that
are compared is an Independent Variable.
 This particular independent variable has 3 LEVELS
of the SINGLE independent variable - in this
example: type of exercise.

10. Dependent variables
 What is measured to assess the effects of
independent variables – Effects
 The outcome variable measured in each subject,
which may be influenced by manipulation of the
independent variable.
 Changed or influenced by the independent variable

11. Example
 Study title: Effects of a new tooth paste
(YummyTooth) on incidence of caries in 1st
grade children.
 The intervention group was given YummyTooth
toothpaste, while the control group was given an
identical toothpaste that did not contain the secret
ingredient in YummyTooth.

12.  Subjects were observed brushing their teeth 3x per
day with the assigned toothpaste (by teacher or
parent). 6 months later, dental appointments were
scheduled, and the number of dental caries present
in each child was reported.
 No of cries is the dependent variable.

13. Categorical variables
 Moderator variables
 It is kind of independent variable except that it
cannot be manipulated; such as age, gender
 To determine the changes in cause and effect
relationship of dependent and independent
variables.

14. Example
 Study: the effects of synchronous and
asynchronous movement to music.
 One group performed an exercise in synchronization
to background music
 One group exercised with background music that
was not synchronized to the pace of exercise
 One group exercised with no background music

15.  Independent variable: background music condition
 3 level of variables : synchronous music,
asynchronous music, and no music
 Dependent variable : endurance of music – amount
of time participant could exercise

16.  Comparison of men and women endurance
performance under 3 different music conditions.
 Gender represents the categorical variables.

17. Extraneous variables
 Factors which affect the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
 But are not included or controlled
 Influence of this variable in the discussion section

18.  Some difference of men and women endurance
under 3 different condition of music – women’s
reluctance to exhibit maximum effort in the
presence of male experimenter.
 Probably this could be extraneous variable.

19. Structuring the Problem Statement
 2 important aspects
1) Clarity in the statement
2) Statement structure

20. Example
 Observe the difference in meaning
 AIM: “to compare sprinters and distance runners on
anaerobic power, as measured by velocity in running
up a flight stairs”
 Or
 “to compare the anaerobic power of sprinters and
distance runners while running up a flight stairs”

22. Task to be performed..
 Read the recent articles up to introduction section
 Identify the different types of variables
 Recognize the problem statement
 Frame the statement from your perspectives
 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE…..