First Edition

Introduction to Research Method

Research for Health Sciences

Table of Content
Preface
Acknowledgment
Table of Content

Writer: Mathiang MD, Athuai 2024

Chapter 1: Introduction to Research
1.1. Learning Objectives
1.2. Introduction
1.3. Definition of Research
1.4. Characteristics of Research
1.5. Types of Research
1.6. Health System Research
1.7. Components of any Research work

Chapter 2: Research Topic Selection

2.1 Learning objectives
2.2 Introduction
2.3 Problem Identification
2.4 Criteria for Prioritizing problems for research
2.5 Exercise

Chapter 3: Analysis and Problems Statement

3.1 Learning Objectives
3.2 Introduction
3.3 Analyzing the Problem
3.4 Formulating the problem
3.5 Exercise

Introduction to Research
Learning Objectives

After completing this chapter, the student should be able to:

1. Define research in general and health system research in particular

2. Enumerate the characteristics of research
3. Identify the different types of research
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 4. List the essential features of health system research
5. Describe the broad divisions (steps) involved in the research process
6. Explain the roles of research in development

Introduction:

The ultimate goal of any national health development process is to enable its
people to reach a level of health that enables them to make meaningful
participation in the social and economic life of the community they live.

To attain this objective, countries should decide on the best approaches to adopt.

Research in the context of public health thus aims to provide all aspects of
information necessary for planning and the effective implementation of a health
system. For all communities, whether affluent or poor, health research is the top
priority.

Definition of Research:

 Research is defined as It is a scientific and systematic search for

information on a particular topic or issue.
 In the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson
(1930) defined research as the “manipulation of things, concepts or
symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify
knowledge aids in the construction of theory or in the practice of an arts”.

Importance of Research

 It inculcates discipline and promotes habits of logical thinking and

organization
 Research provides the basis all government policies and programs.
 It is used provides operational solutions to industrial or business problems.
 It helps to understand social problems and provide and provides answers to
societal problems.
 It provides means of livelihood for persons engaged in it.
 It leads to the development of new products, styles and behaviour.
Characteristics of Research

 It demands a clear statement of the problem

 It requires a plan (it is not aimlessly “looking” for something in the hope to
find a solution.
 It builds on an existing data, using both positive and negative findings
 New data should be collected as required and be organized in such a way
that they answer the research question.
 It gathers new knowledge or data from primary or first-hand sources
 It places emphasis upon the discovery of general principles
 It is an exact systematic and accurate investigation
 It uses certain valid data gathering devices
 It is logical and objectives
 The researcher resists the temptation to seek only the data that support his
hypotheses
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  The researcher eliminates personal feelings and preferences
 It endeavors to organize data in quantitative terms
 The research is patient and unhurried activity
 Researcher is carefully recorded and reported
 Conclusions and generalizations are arrived at carefully and cautiously.

Types of Research methodology:

 Fundamental Research
 Basic research
 Applied research
 Quantitative Research
 Qualitative Research
 Descriptive Research
 Analytical Research
 Empirical or Conceptual Research

Types of Definitions Examples of

Research research
Fundamental It is defined as “basic and applied research in
Research science and engineering where the resulting
information is ordinarily published and shared
broadly within the scientific community.
Basic Research It is defined as “a systematic study directed towards
greater knowledge or understanding of the
fundamental aspects of phenomena and of
observable facts without specific applications
towards processes.
Applied Research It refers to scientific study and research that seeks
to solve practical problems.

Descriptive It is the type of research that aims to describe a

Research population, situation, or phenomenon accurately
and systematically. Or it is a type of research
method that describes the characteristics of the
population or phenomenon studied.
Exploratory It is a type of research conducted to investigate a
Research problem that is not clearly defined, has been under
investigation, or is otherwise poorly understood.

Qualitative It is a type of research which involves collecting and  Survey

Research analyzing non-numerical data to understand  Interviews
concepts, opinion, or experiences.  Focused Group
discussion
Quantitative It is the process of collecting and analyzing  Age, Weight,
Research numerical data. It can be used to find patterns and Height, Length,
averages, makes predictions, test causal Population size and
relationships, and generalize results to wider other Numerical
populations values.

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 Empirical Research It is the type of research that is based on  Pharmaceutical
observation and measurement of phenomena, as companies trying
directly experienced by the researcher. Or it is the out specific drugs
way of gaining knowledge by means of direct on control group or
observation or experience. random group to
study cause and
effect
Difference between Research Method and Research Methodology:

 Research methods is defined as the “techniques/methods that are

adopted for conducting research. While,
 Research methodology is defined as the “way in which research
problems are solve systematically. Or a science of studying how research is
conducted scientifically.

Objectives of Research:

The research has the following objectives:

 Theoretical objectives
 Factual objectives
 Application objectives

Objectives of Research:

 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it

(studies with this object in view are term as exploratory or formative
research studies).
 To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation,
or a group (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive
research studies).
 To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known
as diagnostic research studies).
 To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such
studies are known as hypothesis testing research studies).
Take away box:
Objectives of Research:

 Gain new insight about or familiarity with a phenomenon.

 Describe the characteristics of an objectives, person, or group.
 To establish relationship between variables.
 Understand the frequency of an event or phenomenon.

Characteristics of Scientific Thinking:

 Scientific thinking is based upon cause-effect relationship and evidences

 It involves certain principles and certain assumptions
 Every scientific thinking employs hypotheses to verify the concepts
 It is free from emotional bias, personal prejudices and it is highly objectives
 It utilizes accurate measurement and observation to contribute in situation
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  Scientific think employs quantitative analysis in the treatment of data from
drawing conclusions.

Steps in the process of scientific thinking:

 The location and definition of a problem

 The survey of past experiences with problem of previous investigations that
are already available.
 The formulation of hypotheses representing a tentative solution of the
problem. All activities are organized for the verification of the hypotheses
 The collection of new data or evidences
 The analysis of the data classification and summarization by quantitative
treatment
 The formulation generations

Characteristics of a good researcher

 Should be sensitive in nature

 Should be problem minded
 Should have mastery on the area and should have specialization in the field
studied
 Should have a scientific outlook about the area
 Should have deep insight into the educational process.
 Should be able to think reflectively on the field studied
 Should be tolerance and patience
 Should be interested in the field studied
 Should be honest and devotee to his work
 Should have the curiosity to find out something new or to answer some
questions which are still to be answered.

Research Topic Selection

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After completing this chapter, the researcher should be able to:

1. Examine the cyclical nature of the development of a research proposal

2. Describe the principles underlying whether a problem situation is
researchable.
3. List the criteria for selecting a research topic.
4. Identify and select his or her own topic (economic problem) for research
based on certain guidelines

1.1 Introduction:
The starting point in the selection of a research topic and problem. History
teaches the continuity of the development and progress of science. The point is
that every age has its own problems, numerous in number, which the following
age either solves or casts aside as profitless and replaces by new one. The deep
significance of certain problem for the advancement of science and society must
be taken into consideration in choosing a problem of research.

Sources of Identification of a research topic and Problems:

 The theory of one’s own interest
 Daily problems
 Technological changes
 Recent trends
 Unexplored areas of interest
 Discussion with experts and research supervisors

Practical Examples-1

Problem situation:

In district “Y” a report showed that in the first month there were 500 children
under one year old who started immunization, but at the end of the year it was
found out that there are only 25 children who completed their vaccination.

Discrepancy:

All the 500 children “Y” should have completed their vaccination but only 5% out
of those who started vaccination have completed.

Problem (Research)Question:

Why only 5% of the children completed their vaccination?

Definite Answer: Out of the 1 hospital, 2 health centres and 10 health stations
found in district “Y” only 2 health stations were functioning, the rest were closed
due to insecurity in the area.

NB: In the above examples, assuming that all the given facts are true, there is no
need of undertaking a research since definite answer is obtained to the problem
situation.

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