The document discusses key aspects of developing a strong research question and study, including: - Research aims to systematically find answers to questions in a creative yet organized way. - Well-conducted research is important for evidence-based medical practice and public health. - Good research questions are feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant. They clearly identify the variables, population, and testability of the question.

1. 1
Research Defined
 Research is an organized and
systematic way to find answers to
questions
 Research is a creative process

2. 2
Why is research important to
medicine and public health?
 Knowledge obtained from sound
research is transformed into clinical
practice, leading to medical practice
that is evidence-based.

3. 3
The Research Idea
 Professional experience
 Burning questions
 Literature
 Professional meetings
 Discussions

4. 4
Criteria for developing a good
research question
 Feasible
 Interesting
 Novel
 Ethical
 Relevant
 Cummings et al. 2001

5. 5
Good research question?
 Feasible
 Subjects
 Resources
 Manageable
 Data available?
 Interesting
 Novel
 In relation to previous
findings
 Confirm or refute?
 New setting, new
population
 Ethical
 Social or scientific value
 Safe
 Relevant
 Advance scientific
knowledge?
 Influence clinical practice?
 Impact health policy?
 Guide future research?

6. 6
A Research Question Must
Identify
1. The variables under study
2. The population being studied
3. The testability of the question

7. 7
Variables in research
 Have 2 or more properties or qualities
 Age, sex, weight, height
 Is one variable related to another?
 “ Is X related to Y? What is the effect of X on Y?” etc.

8. 8
Variables in research
 Independent
variable:
 has a presumed effect
on the dependent
variable (outcome)
 May or may not be
manipulated
 Dependent variable:
 Something that varies
with a change in the
independent variable
 Outcome variable

9. 9
Hypothesis
 Statement about the relationship
between 2 or more variables
 Converts the question into a statement
that predicts an expected outcome
 A unit or subset of the research
problem

10. 10
Characteristics of hypotheses
 Declarative statement that identifies the
predicted relationship between 2 or
more variables
 Testability
 Based on sound scientific
theory/rationale

11. 11
Directional vs. Non-Directional
Hypotheses
 Directional hypothesis
Specifies the direction of the relationship
between independent and dependent
variables
 Non-directional hypothesis
Shows the existence of a relationship
between variables but no direction is specified