Research Methodology PDF

RESEARCH TOOLS DR/YOSRA ELSHAIKH INTRODUCTION Tools are instruments used to collect information for performance assessments, self- evaluations and external evaluation Tools need to be strong Different instruments are used to conduct the assessment forms for gathering data according to th...

RESEARCH TOOLS DR/YOSRA ELSHAIKH INTRODUCTION Tools are instruments used to collect information for performance assessments, self- evaluations and external evaluation Tools need to be strong Different instruments are used to conduct the assessment forms for gathering data according to the nature of information WHAT ARE RESEARCH TOOLS Tools are instruments for measuring events Used for data collection They should be measurable for data analysis and interpretation PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH TOOLS Concise complete and definite question words order of questions One question doesn’t influence other questions Must not be too long or too short 30 minutes maximum for complition WHAT IS DATA Data are meaningful information Data collection is systematic process of collecting detailed information from selected sample DATA COLLECTION Primary: personal direct contact Secondary: no direct contact 1- PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION Data collected by first hand researcher In person surveys: gather general answers to basic questions Interviews: more in depth answers to complex questions Focus groups: gain opinions about certain subject Direct observation: direct involve with the study group 2- SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION INSTITUTIONAL BASED SURVEYS AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESEARCH Done when its not possible to collect the data through personal contact as from large group population Government publications, websites, books, journal articles, internal records e.g: EDHS (Egyptian demographic health survey) meta-analysis and systematic reviews) and reference works.  METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION I. Observation II. Interview and focus group III. Questionnaire IV. Documents and records HOW TO CHOOSE THE METHOD: Nature of study Size of sample Scale of survey Educational level of respondents Type and depth of information to be collected I. OBSERVATION Obtained by direct observations of investigators without asking questions Used for behavioural studies Types of observations: 1. Structured 2. unstructured TOOLS FOR OBSERVATION METHOD Field notes checklist ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Disadvantage Advantages Expensive No subject bias Limited information Relates to what is happening Unforseen factors interfere with observation Independent of respondents II. INTERVIEW Oral communication and response Personal or telephone interview CLASSIFICATIONS OF INTERVIEW A- Personal 1. Structured 2. Unstructured 3. Focused 4. Clinical B- telephone A- PERSONAL INTERVIEW 1. STRUCTURED INTERVIEW Predetermined questions High standardized recording methods Disadvantages Advantage Superficial information ▪ Require less knowledge and skills of interviewer More rigid ▪ Less time consuming Not suitable in all situations ▪ More systematic and authentic 2. UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW FLEXIBILITY OF QUESTIONING AND RECORDING Disadvantage Advantages ▪ Allow greater scope of questioning ▪ Demands knowledge and skills ▪ Flexible methods ▪ Difficult analysis of data ▪ More accurate and adequate data ▪ Time consuming 3. Focused interview Focus on given responses 4. Clinical interview Concerned with diagnostic and assessment data B- TELEPHONE INTERVIEW COLLECT INFORMATION FROM CONTACT THROUGH TELEPHONE Advantage Disadvantage ▪ Flexible ▪ Restricted to availability of telephone ▪ Fast ▪ Easy ▪ Simple ▪ economic III. QUESTIONNAIRE Questions prepared by researcher and filled by respondent Self report or self administered Collect demographic data Large data set Large no. of respondents Quick Inexpensive Advantages Disadvantages Can be posted e-mailed or faxed Design problems Time consuming Large number of respondents Literacy problems Respondents can consider responses No control over completion No assistance STRUCTURE OF QUESTIONS 1- Open ended 2- Close ended More information Limit response Difficult analysis Easy analysis CLOSED ENDED QUESTIONS Dichotomous : yes or no questions Multi choice: more than two responses Rank order: rank target concept by giving 1,2,3….to 10 rank Rating: (satisfied and not satisfied) Checklist: Visual analogue scales: assessing perception of physical stimuli as pain, sleep…. PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS Physical measures: temperature, volume, pressure, … Chemical measures: hormones levels, blood sugar or urea,…. Microbiological measures: bacterial count Anatomical measure: X ray, tissue biopsies,….