The document outlines the research methodology in the field of public health dentistry, emphasizing the definition and purpose of research, which seeks to improve public oral health through education and service. It categorizes research into basic and applied, empirical and theoretical, quantitative and qualitative, as well as other specialized areas such as biomedical and health services research. The aim is to enhance oral health care practices and identify solutions to existing problems by utilizing diverse research approaches.

1. Research Methodology
DR. NAVODITA JAMWAL
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY

2. Contents
 Definition
 Purpose
 Categories

3. Definition
Research “is the continual search for truth using the scientific method”

4. Problem in
need of
solution
Collection of
data
Organization,
classification
and analysis
Use of
reasoning and
statistical
analysis
Conclusion or
solution

5. Purpose of Oral Health
 To promote the oral health of the public by improving education, service, practice and
delivery
 To contribute new knowledge or reevaluate current knowledge to improve all phases of
oral health care
 To improve the techniques and practices of identifying, preventing and treating oral
diseases in individuals and in groups

6.  To develop and test theories related to oral health care and oral disease processes
 To identify and solve problems indigenous to advancement, decision making and
change in oral health care delivery.

7. Categories of Research
1. BASIC AND APPLIED
- Basic:- usually considered to involve a search for knowledge without a
defined goal of utility or specific purpose
- Information that adds to the already existing knowledge
- Applied research:- problem- oriented, directed towards solution of existing
problem

8. 2. EMPIRICAL AND THEORECTICAL RESEARCH
 Empirical: Relies on experience or observation alone. It is data based research, which
comes up with conclusions capable of being verified by observation or experiment. E.g.
depends upon systematic collection of observations on the health-related phenomena of
interest in defined populations
 Theoretical: system of beliefs and assumptions, inspired by real-world phenomena, in the
prevention of events harmful to the general welfare of the population of interest

9. 3. Quantitative or Qualitative – complementary to each other
Quantitative- numeric, counting and calculation of numbers in the relation to
subjects under study
Qualitative- interviews, to elicit facts and opinions which cannot be measured
quantitively, problem statement or hypothesis

10. 4. Health Research Triangle
 A. Biomedical research – process at cellular level
 B. Health services research – issues in the environment surrounding man
 C. Behavioural research – interaction of man and the environment in
manner reflecting beliefs, attitudes and practices in the society

11. 5. Other categories
a. Conceptual Research- abstract idea or theory, used to developed new concepts or to
reinterpret the existing one
b. Field-setting research or laboratory research- field & laboratory
c. Multidisciplinary – more than one discipline
d. Big science – large-scale scientific research funded by government bodies