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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.pptx
- 1. Research – AnOverview R.C. Gupta MD (Biochemistry) NIMS, Jaipur
- 2. What is research? Nosingle definition Defined in different ways by different persons
- 3. Some definitions A systematiceffort 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’
- 4. Research is ... Discoveryof new facts or knowledge Adding new information to existing knowledge New practical application of knowledge
- 5. Scientific research Unlike other disciplines, scientific research doesn’t depend solelyuponː Mental processes Critical thinking Reasoning Personal opinions
- 6. Scientific research requiresscientific method Scientific method generally has four stepsː Making an observation Forming a hypothesis Testing the hypothesis Reaching a conclusion 1 2 3 4
- 8. Observation – DrugX 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
- 9. Observation – DrugX 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
- 10. Scientific research generallybegins with a research question and/or a hypothesis A hypothesis is an assumption based on some evidence A research question is an unanswered question
- 11. The researcher teststhe 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
- 12. Frame the research question Forma hypothesis Collect data to test the hypothesis Interpret data to answer the question Research methodology
- 13. Question Search literature Form hypothesis Conductexperiments Collect data Interpret data Share knowledge New questions arise
- 14. Merit of theresearch 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
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- 16. Framing the researchquestion 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
- 17. Research question –The PICO format P I C Outcome O Population Intervention Comparison
- 18. Population The studypopulation Intervention Treatment, procedure, test etc Comparison The population for comparison Outcome The effect of the intervention The question should describe P, I, C & O
- 19. Is pain medicationmore 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
- 20. Research question –Criteria F – Feasible I – Interesting The research question should meet FINER criteria N – Novel E – Ethical R – Relevant
- 21. 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
- 22. Experiments to bedone are built around the hypothesis The results of the experiments either verify or falsify the hypothesis
- 23. Types of hypo- thesis Null hypothesisːMeant to be nullified Alternative hypothesisː Meant to be verified
- 24. Examples of hypo- thesis Null hypothesisːDrug X does not decrease serum cholesterol Alternative hypothesisː Drug X decreases serum cholesterol
- 25. Testing of hypothesis Design experiment Collectdata Examine the data statistically
- 26. Decide the typeof 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
- 27. 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
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- 29. Data analysis requiresstatistical 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
- 30. Originality and noveltyare of paramount importance in research Originality in research If the problem you are investigating has already been solved, you will get no credit
- 32. In biomedical research,some repetitive studies may be justified because of: Regional variations Racial variations Ethnic variations
- 33. Repetition is justifiedif earlier work has resulted in a controversy Repetition is specially justified if you are using: Bigger sample size Better experimental techniques Better study design
- 34. Literature search showsus what has been done about the problem in the past A thorough literature search is essential to ensure originality Literature search
- 35. Literature search willshow 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
- 36. Literature search canalso provide information aboutː The methods to be used The sample size The type of study
- 37. Literature to besearched can beː Primary literature Secondary literature Tertiary literature
- 38. Papers published in journals Primaryliterature Give authentic information
- 39. Secondary literature Review articlesand meta-analyses Compiled from primary sources and evaluated Reliable if taken from high quality sources
- 40. Derives information from primary/secondaryliterature Examples are reference books Reliability depends upon the reputation of the author Tertiary literature
- 41. A number ofprint 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
- 42. A number ofdatabases are available online These include PubMed, MedlinePlus, Embase, Web of Science, OVID etc Most of these databases provide only the Abstracts of papers
- 43. No single databasecan provide all the information A number of databases should be searched to ensure thoroughness
- 44. Literature search willalso 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
- 45. Accuracy of references Inaccuratereferences 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
- 46. What next? You havedone all the hard work You have discovered a new fact Hypothesis has been verified or falsified Research question has been answered
- 47. Hence, you mustshare 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
- 48. 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
- 49. Papers sent tojournals 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