Research Methods: Origins and Definition

• Research Methods (6106221) is taught during the Spring 2025 semester.

Origins of Research

• Humans possess the ability to think rationally and logically, leading to curiosity.
• Research aims to answer questions like "why?", "how?", "what is the difference?", "what is common?", "what is the relation?", and "what is the cause?".
• Research can stem from the recognition of lacking knowledge about a situation or disease.

Vaccination Example Needing Research

• A 2021 report indicated that 98% of children in Gaza were vaccinated versus 73% in the West Bank.

Situations Requiring Research

• Research needed when a discrepancy between observed reality and expected outcomes.
• Research needed when the reasons for a discrepancy are unclear.
• Research is required when there is more than one possible answer or solution to a question or problem.

Definition of Research

• Research is a systematic means of problem-solving. The original source is Tuckman 1978
• Research involves a process through which new knowledge is discovered.
• Research is a process of sequential steps to gather and analyze information, thus increasing understanding of a topic or issue.

Research Components

• Research consists of asking questions that nobody asked before.
• It involves doing the necessary work to find answers.
• It includes communicating acquired knowledge to a large audience.

Goals of Research

• Research aims to describe through careful observations and measurements.
• Research predicts through observations of systematically related events.
• Research determines if an effect happens only if the cause is present.
• Research explains through conducting experiments.

Reasons to Conduct Research in Health Sciences

• To establish a foundation of knowledge in the health field
• Example: Studying the relationship between rate of exposure and incidence of cancer
• To assess the efficacy of an intervention
• Example: Radiotherapy decreasing the size of a tumor
• To provide opportunities for development in science
• Example: Effect of postgraduate training on lowering complication incidence
• To enhance patient care in health professions
• Example: Comparing ultrasound to laser in the treatment of muscle tendonitis

Barriers to Conducting Research

• Lack of administrative support and funding
• Lack of time
• Unfamiliarity with statistics
• Unfamiliarity with research procedure
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of necessary equipment
• Ethical concerns when applying new techniques and interventions on human subjects

Characteristics of High-Quality Research

• Based on prior work
• Replication
• Generalization
• Based on logical rationale and theory
• Generates new questions
• Undertaken for societal benefit
• Cost-effectiveness
• Based on a hypothesis that is feasible

Qualities of a Researcher

• Maturity
• Ability to focus and concentrate
• Disciplined
• Independent
• Hardworking
• Innovative and Creative
• Critical Thinking
• Availability (time)

General Characteristics of Research

• Clear statement of the problem
• Clear objectives and methods
• Builds on existing data
• Involves a systematic process
• Clear vision of outcome
• Ethical

Outcomes of Research

• New or improved product (or medication)
• New theory
• Re-interpretation of an existing theory
• New or improved research tool or technique
• New or improved model or perspective
• In-depth study of a particular situation
• Exploration of a topic, area, or field
• Critical analysis
• Unanticipated outcomes

Initial Steps of Research

• Clarifying the purpose ("why") of the study and defining the question to answer
• Reviewing existing literature
• Considering ethical implications, placing participant wellbeing first
• Formulating the topic based on ease of obtaining information and probability of convincing evidence

Research Steps

• Pose a question.
• Collect data to answer the question
• Provide the answer to the question

Research Process Overview

• Begins with questions, observations, and existing knowledge
• It includes developing a research topic and a research question
• Involves choosing a study design
• Requires data collection and analysis
• Results in drawing conclusions
• Findings application and sharing with the broader community