This document discusses research, including defining what research is, the key components of a research study, how to identify a research problem and gap, and how to eliminate a research gap. It notes that research involves searching again for new facts or modifying older ones. A well-defined research problem and hypothesis are essential, as are scientific techniques and logical interpretation of results. Identifying reasons for a research gap and characterizing it using a PICOS framework can help eliminate gaps. The document also discusses the importance of research ethics in promoting integrity and protecting human subjects.

1. By:
AARDHRA GOWRY
KERALA UNIVERSITY OF
FISHERIES AND OCEAN STUDIES

2. WHAT IS RESEARCH?
 Research is composed of two words: ‘re’ & ‘search’,
which means to search again, or to search for new
facts or to modify the older ones.
 The Webster’s International Dictionary defines
research as “ a careful critical inquiry or examination
in seeking facts or principles diligent investigation in
order to ascertain something.”

3. A RESEARCH SHOULD CONTAIN…
1. A venue of quest, inquisition or investigation.
2. Specific or well defined domain.
3. A well laid hypothesis.
4. Capable of being based upon observable data.
5. Scientific techniques of analysis.
6. Logical interpretation of results.

4. RESEARCH PROBLEM
 A well defined and a structured research problem is
the heart of the research project.
 When you submitting your research proposal for a
proposal presentation or grant applications, the
evaluators might ask, your what you trying to
investigate?
 The best way to do it is ,propose puzzling, which is
useful to build your research problem.

5. RESEARCH GAP
 A research gap is defined as a topic or area for which
missing or insufficient information limits the ability
to reach a conclusion for a question.
 A research need is defined as a gap that limits the
ability of decision-makers from making decisions.

6. HOW TOO ELIMINATE THE RESEARCH GAP
 Organizations most commonly used variations of
the PICO (population, intervention, comparison,
outcomes) framework.
 The proposed framework includes two major
components:
a) Identification and classification of the
reasons why the research gap exists
b) Characterization of the research gap using
the PICOS (population, intervention, comparison,
outcomes, setting) elements

7. A) Identifying reasons for the existence of the
research gap:
 Choose the most important reason(s) for the
existence of the research gap
 Select the reason(s) that prevent conclusions about
the evidence from being made
 Classify the reasons for research gaps, including:
1. insufficient or imprecise information
2. biased information
3. inconsistency or unknown consistency
4. not the right information

8.  B) Characterizing research gaps:
 Use the PICOS framework to characterize research
gaps related to interventions, screening tests, etc. The
framework organizes research gaps as follows:
 1. Population (P): information regarding the
population that is not adequately represented in the
evidence base (gender, race/ethnicity, age, etc.)
 2. Intervention (I): information regarding the
specific intervention that is inadequately included in
the evidence base, the duration of the intervention, etc.

9.  C0nt….
 3. Comparison (C): lack of information
regarding the comparison intervention or standard
intervention
 4. Outcomes (O): information regarding
outcomes of interest, organized by type of outcome
or timing of outcomes, to delineate where
information is lacking
 5. Setting (S): information regarding the relevant
settings for research gaps

10. RESEARCH ETHICS
 When most people think of ethics (or morals), they
think of rules for distinguishing between right and
wrong.
 It is a norms for conduct that distinguish
between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
 There are several reasons why it is important to
adhere to ethical norms in research:

11.  C0nt…
 First, norms promote the aims of research,
such as knowledge, truth, and avoidance of error.
 Second, since research often involves a great deal
of cooperation and coordination among many
different people in different disciplines and
institutions, ethical standards promote the values
that are essential to collaborative work, such
as trust, accountability, mutual respect, and
fairness.

12.  Cont….
 Third, many of the ethical norms help to ensure
that researchers can be held accountable to the
public.
 Fourth, ethical norms in research also help to build
public support for research.
 People more likely to fund research project if they
can trust the quality and integrity of research.

13.  Cont…
 Finally, many of the norms of research promote a
variety of other important moral and social
values, such as social responsibility, human
rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law,
and health and safety
 Ethical lapses in research can significantly harm
human and animal subjects, students, and the
public