Research Methodology

CHP400:

Community Health Program - lI

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What isResearch ?

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Research Methodology

What is Research?

• Take home message

• Title of the study

• Hypotheses

• Research Objectives

• Steps in conducting Research

• Definition of Research

Content

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Research Methodology

Definition of Research

systematic collection analysis and interpretation of data to answer a certain question or

solve a problem.

Re / search Research

Research is the

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Research Methodology

Research requirements

demands clear statement of the

problem

builds on existing data

requires a plan

should answer the original research

question

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Research Methodology

Steps in conducting ResearchSelection / statement of Research Problem

Literature review

Formulation of Objectives

Study Methodology

Proposal submission and approval

Field Work

Data Analysis

Report Writing and Presentation

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S t u d y P r o t o c o l

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Research Methodology

Problems for Research

Common Research Questions

Description of Health Problem

Magnitude of a health

problem/disease

Distribution of the health problem in

person, place and time

Identification of risk factors and

causes

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Research Methodology

Cont .

Effect of an intervention:

Drug, vaccine, risk factor cessation,

health education.

Evaluation of on-going interventions:

Coverage of Target Groups, Quality,

Cost, Effect/Impact…

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives

What are study objectives?

The objectives of a research summarize what

is to be achieved by the study.

The objectives should be closely related to

the statement of the problem.

Research Objectives

if the problem is low utilization of

child welfare clinics

the objective should be. to identify the reasons for this low utilization.

e.g..

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives

• General objective: states what is expected to be achieved by the study in general terms.

• Specific objectives: It is possible (and advisable) to break down a general objective into smaller, logically connected parts.

• Specific objectives should specify what you will do in your study ,where , and when .

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives

• The general objective “to identify the

reasons for low utilization of child

welfare clinics in District X over the years

1998 and 1999”

• It could be broken down into smaller

more specific objectives.

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives

Why should research objectives be developed?

• Focus the study (narrowing it down

to essentials);

• Avoid collection of data that are not

strictly necessary for understanding

and solving the problem; and

Formulation of objectives will help to:

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives

• will facilitate the development of your

research methodology

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Research Methodology

Characteristics of Good Objectives

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time-Bound

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives

How should you state your objectives?

• Cover the different aspects of the problem and its contributing factors in a coherent way and logical sequence;

• Are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose;

Take care that the objectives of your study:

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives. cont

• Use action verbs that are specific enough to be

evaluated.

e.g.: to determine, to compare, to verify, to

calculate, to describe, and to establish.

• Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs, such as:

to appreciate, to understand, or to study.

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Research Methodology

Hypotheses

A HYPOTHESIS is a prediction of a

relationship between one or more

factors and the problem under study,

which can be tested.

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Research Methodology

Hypotheses

• Based on your experience with the study

problem, it might be possible to develop

explanations (formulate hypotheses) for

the problem in addition to the study

objectives.

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Research Methodology

Hypotheses

1. Utilization of child welfare clinics is lowest in the rainy

season due to the high workload of mothers during

that period.

2. Utilization of child welfare clinics is lowest in those

clinics in which staff are poorly motivated to provide

preventive services.

Eg. low utilization of child welfare clinics

It would be possible to formulate and test the following hypotheses:

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Research Methodology

Title of the study

• The title should be in line with your general

objective.

• Make sure that it is specific enough to tell the

reader what your study is about.NOT: “A study of utilization of child welfare

clinics”

BUT: “A study of the reasons for low utilization of child welfare clinics in District X”

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Research Methodology

What is Research?

The Pontiac Story!

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Research Methodology

Research Objectives

Research Objectives

Research Objectives

Research Objectives

Research Objectives

Research Objectives

Take home message