Research Problem: Medical Laboratory Science PDF

Unit IV: The Research Problem College of Allied Medical Professions Medical Laboratory Science The Research Problem is a definite or clear expression (statement) about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, or a difficulty to be eliminated. is a major issue that...

Unit IV: The Research Problem College of Allied Medical Professions Medical Laboratory Science The Research Problem is a definite or clear expression (statement) about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, or a difficulty to be eliminated. is a major issue that leads to the need for a study. enables the researcher to generate a set of research questions. Problem Identification Process Formulat ea Analyze State the State the problems and hypothes the problem problem subproblems clearly is if applicabl e Statement of the Problem is a statement which declares the problems that the study wishes to address Forms: Question Form Declarative Form Question Form This study aims to answer the following questions: What is the profile of medical technologists in Batangas City in terms of: Age Sex Educational attainment Length of service Declarative Form This study seeks to discuss the following topics: The profile of medical technologists in Batangas City in terms of: Age Sex Educational attainment Length of service Characteristics of a Good Statement of the Problem Summarizes the scope of the study shortly Major and subproblems are stated clearly and briefly Answers questions categorically Should not be answered by yes or no Sources of Research Problems Intellectual curiosity - Problems encountered in the practice of the profession Analysis of needs - Knowledge gap - conflicting findings - omission of groups of subjects - Need for more convincing evidence Research Priorities/agenda Ex. NUHRA; College Research Agenda Other Sources of Problems Experiences Problems in work environment Classroom activities Technological and scientific advancement Offshoots of other researches Specialization Instructional program pursued Programs for reading Analysis of an area of knowledge Practices in a particular field or in allied health courses Repetition or extension of investigation Offshoots of studies underway Criteria for Selection of the Research Problem 1. Novelty 2. Investigator’s interest in the problem 3. Practical value of the problem 4. Availability of data 5. Capability of the writer 6. Special equipment 7. Sponsorship and administrative cooperation 8. Cost 9. Hazards, penalties and hardships 10. Time The Research Question Interrogative statement that focus on what variables or concepts are to be described and what relationships might exist between variables A quantity to estimate A characteristic to describe/compare A relationship to establish Estimates quantity What is the prevalence of HIV among seafarers? What is the utilization rate of point-of-care tests? How many laboratories use an Electronic Laboratory Information System (LIS)? Describes/compares What are the factors that affect the utilization of laboratory services? Is VCO as good as Ketoconazole for the treatment of dandruff? Establishes relationships What is the sensitivity of two-hour glucose serum level in detecting diabetes mellitus? Does malunggay leaf have antibacterial property?  A research question should be: Clear: It provides enough specifics that one’s audience can easily understand its purpose without needing additional explanation. Focused: It is narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly in the space the writing task allows. Concise: It is expressed in the fewest possible words. Complex: It is not answerable by a simple “yes” or “no” but rather requires synthesis and analysis of ideas and sources prior to composition of an answer. Arguable: Its potential answers are open for debate rather acceptable facts. Make sure the questions are clear! Unclear How should What action should the low salary the Philippine of Medical Medical Technology Technologists profession undertake in terms be addressed? of legislation to improve the salary of Medical Technologists Make sure the topic is focused! What is the effect What is the most on the significant effect of environment glacial melting on from global the lives of warming? penguins in Antarctica? Make sure the topic is complex! What are the perceived advantages and disadvantages, learning What is the preferences, learning perception of topics and levels of Medical applicability regarding Technologists CPD among Filipino regarding Medical Technologists? CPD? A good research question:  Details the problem statement  Further describes and refines the issue under study  Adds focus to the problem statement  Guides data collection and analysis  Sets context of research Types of Research Questions  Existence Can neonates perceive pain?  Description and classification What are characteristics and types of neuropathic bladders?  Composition What are stages of reflux nephropathy? Relationship Association between tumor rupture and recurrence rates in Wilm's tumor Types of Research Questions  Descriptive-comparative Are germ cell tumors occurring in gonads more aggressive than those occurring in extragonadal sites?  Causality Does deletion of p53 leads to worse outcome in patients with neuroblastoma?  Causality-Comparative Does adding surgical resection improves survival rate outcome in children with neuroblastoma than with chemotherapy alone?  Causality-Comparative interactions Does immunotherapy leads to better survival outcome in neuroblastoma Stage IV S than with chemotherapy in the setting of adverse genetic profile than without it? Major Types of Research Factor- Questions isolatin 1 g questio ns Factor- 2 relating questio ns Situatio n- 3 relating questio ns 4 Situation- producing questions Factor-isolating Questions Starts with “what” or asks “what is” Sometimes called “factor- naming” Deals with exploratory information Example: What is the household income of the Filipino family? What is the incidence of asthma in the Filipino family? Factor-relating Questions Relates variables with each other Example: What is the relationship between the household income and incidence of asthma in the Filipino family? Situation-relating Questions Variables are manipulated to see what will happen Example: To what extent is household income affecting the incidence of asthma in the Filipino family?  Situation-producing Questions Establish explicit goals or actions Require the development of plans to accomplish goals Example: What can be done to lower the incidence of asthma in the Filipino family? EXAMPLE: Factor-isolating Question 1. What is the profile of patients with Di Guglielmo’s Syndrome in terms of: 1.1 age? 1.2 severity of disease ? Factor-relating Question 2. What is the relationship between age and severity of disease in patients with Di Guglielmo’s Syndrome? EXAMPLE: Situation-relating 3. Question To what extent is age affecting the severity of disease in patients with Di Guglielmo’s Syndrome? Situation-producing Question 4. What should be done to lessen the effect of age on the severity of disease in patients with Di Guglielmo’s Syndrome?  Levels of Inquiry explains explorator establishe why Lev y in nature, Lev s Lev relationshi el 1 establishe el 2 relationshi ps el 3 p exists between s facts variables Level 1 Inquiry Starts with “what” and is generally exploratory in nature Usually involves factor-isolating questions Example: What is the profile of the pregnant mothers in terms of: Amount of moderate exercises performed? Amount of pain experienced during labor? Level 2 Inquiry Starts with “what is the relationship” and show the existence of two or more variables Usually involves factor-relating questions Example: What is the relationship between the amount of moderate exercises performed and the amount of pain experienced during labor by pregnant mothers? Level 3 Inquiry Questions which assume the relationship or differences between the factors and ask “why” such exists Example: Why is pain experienced during labor less in pregnant mothers who performed moderate exercises? EXAMPLE: Patient education and patient compliance to the fasting protocols of patients in Batangas Medical Center Factor-isolating Questions What is the level of patient education of patients in Batangas Medical Center? What is the degree of compliance to fasting protocols of patients in Batangas Medical Center? Factor-isolating Questions What is the profile of patients in Batangas Medical Center in terms of: A. level of patient education B. level of patient compliance to fasting protocols Factor-relating Questions What is the relationship between education and compliance to fasting protocols of patients in Batangas Medical Center? Situation-relating To what extent is education Questions affecting the level of compliance to fasting protocols of patients in Batangas Medical Center? Situation-producing Questions What can be done to improve the level compliance to fasting protocols of patients in Batangas Medical Center?  Level 1 Inquiry What is the level of patient education of patients in Batangas Medical Center? What is the level of compliance to fasting protocols of patients in Batangas Medical Center? Level 2 Inquiry What is the relationship between education and compliance to fasting protocols of patients in Batangas Medical Center? Level 3 Inquiry Why are patients in Batangas Medical Center with higher patient education have higher compliance to fasting protocols? Why are patients in Batangas Medical Center with higher patient education better in complying with fasting protocols?  Analyze the Problem Determine if the problem is: Researchable Significant Feasible Can the data that Will it fill a gap in Time and money? will be collected knowledge? Are there enough usable in Will it have answering your participants/responden practical ts? question? application? Is the method feasible Will it improve to implement? the practice of Facility/equipment? the profession? Are there ethical considerations? Dissect and clarify the problem Is atis leaf effective for the treatment of pediculosis? Components? Preparation, dose, frequency Severity of pediculosis Measure/degree of effect Adverse reactions Acceptability to end-users Dissect and clarify the problem Is atis leaf effective for the treatment of pediculosis? Is atis leaf extract applied on the scalp effective in the treatment of pediculosis among Statement of Subproblems 1. What is the effective dose of atis leaf extract for the treatment of pediculosis in children? 2. What are the side effects of atis leaf extract applied on the scalp of children with pediculosis? 3. Is atis leaf (dose) effective for all degrees of pediculosis in children? Dissect and clarify the problem Is herbal medicine widely used in the community? Components? Type of herbal medicine to include Preparation being used Age group of people using herbal medicine Type of illnesses Dissect and clarify the problem Is herbal medicine widely used in the community? Is Tawa-tawa crude leaf extract widely used by residents of Batangas City for the treatment of dengue? Statement of Subproblems 1. What is the effective dose of Tawa-tawa crude extract? 2. What is the toxicity dose of the plant? 3. What is the mode action of the Tawa-tawa plant? Dissect and clarify the problem State the problem and the subproblems in clear and specific terms Specify the: Variable/s Population Subproblems are derived from identified components Keypoint The greatest challenge to any researcher is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution. Formulate a hypothesis, if applicable Statement about the relationship between variables Statement of the expected relationship between variables Tentative answer to a problem involving association (factor-outcome relationship) A good hypothesis should specificy the following: 1. The population to whom the hypothesis will apply 2. The cause being investigated 3. The outcome–disease or condition of interest 4. The dose-response relationship (amount of exposure necessary for the disease or condition to develop/outcome to be observed) 5. The time response relationship (time period between the exposure and the development of the outcome) Research objective Declarative statement which focuses on: Identification and description of variables Determination ofrelationships of variables Defines the expectations of the study (YOUR GOAL!) Importance of Research Objectives 1. Gives an indication of the relevant variables to be considered 2. Guides the researcher in the choice of research design 3. Tells the researcher what data to collect 4. Is helpful in planning the analysis of the data Types of objectives General – overall goal Derived from the statement of the research problem Specific – statement of the specific outcomes expected opf the study; the attainment will contribute tothe overall goal derived from the components of the problem Qualities of a GOOD Objective Qualities of a GOOD Objective Specific – variables to be observed is/are indicated and stated in specific terms Measurable – variables can be measured Attainable – empirical data can be collected, that is, variable can be observed Realistic – practical methods available for observing and measuring the variable Time-bound – specification of time; time-based Transform research problem to declarative sentence starting with the phrase: To describe... To determine... To examine... To compare... To identify... Example: What is the prevalence of HIV among seafarers? To determine the prevalence of HIV among seafarers Example: What are the factors that affect the utilization of laboratory services? To identify the factors that affect the utilization of laboratory services Example: To compare the rate of cure among children... given the following doses: a. 3x a day for 5 days b. 3x a day for 3 days c. 1x a day for 5 days d. 1x a day for 3 days A. What is the effective dose of atis leaf extract for the treatment of pediculosis in children? B. What are the side effects of atis leaf extract applied on the scalp of children with pediculosis? C. Is atis leaf (dose) effective for all degrees of pediculosis in children? Example To determine the proportion of children... who manifest with adverse reactions A. What is the effective dose of atis leaf extract for the treatment of pediculosis in children? B. What are the side effects of atis leaf extract applied on the scalp of children with pediculosis? C. Is atis leaf (dose) effective for all degrees of pediculosis in children? The Title Encompassing Serves as a framework of the study It should not have more than 20 words Does not include unnecessary words (e.g. Study of, An inquiry into, An analysis, An investigation of, etc. Think international! Remember PICO Population/ Participant Intervention/Issue Comparison/Control/ Context Outcome of Interest Improving Titles A qualitative and quantitative study of Typhoon Rosing’s damage to the mango trees of the Fruit Crops Orchard, College, Laguna and Sta. Filomena, San Pablo City Typhoon Rosing’s damage to two mango orchards in Laguna Improving Titles Compatibility of chemicals for mango production Flowering and fruit-setting of mango sprayed with potassium-nitrate pesticide Improving Titles Prevalence of Coliform Bacteria in the Water Supplying Barangay Sta. Clara, Batangas City Coliform Contamination of Water Supply in a locale in Batangas City, Philippines