PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH REPORTING

- Dr. K.Nachimuthu- Dr. K.Nachimuthu

Research Report

Six components:  Introduction, Conceptual frame work, Review, Methodology, Data Analysis, Discussion.

Types of Research Studies

Research can be classified into two categories:  

Basic research, which is done in a lab or a clinical setting and 

Applied research, which is done with real subjects in real-world situations.

Animal StudyAn animal or in vivo study is a study in which animals are used as subjects.  A common use of an animal study is with a clinical trial (see below) and as a precursor to evaluating a medical intervention on humans.  However, it is critical to recognize that results from animal studies should not be extrapolated to draw conclusions on what WILL happen in humans.

Case Study

A case study provides significant and detailed information about a single participant or a small group of participants.  ”Case studies are often referred to interchangeably with ethnography, field study, and participant observation.” Unlike other studies which rely heavily on statistical analysis, the case study is often undertaken to identify areas for additional research and exploration.

Clinical Trial Study

A clinical trial study is often used in the areas of health and medical treatments that will presumably yield a positive effect.  Typically a small group of people or animals are selected based upon the presence of a specific medical condition.  This group is used to evaluate the effectiveness of a new medication or treatment, differing dosages, new applications of existing treatments.  Due to the risk involved with many new medical treatments, the initial subjects in a clinical trial may be animals and not humans.  After positive outcomes are obtained, research then can proceed to a human study where the treatment is compared against results from the existing standard of care.

Correlational Study

Correlation studies evaluate the relationship between variables and determine if there is a positive correlation, a negative correlation, or no correlation.  Please note, a positive correlation does not mean one thing causes another.   Correlation studies are typically used in naturalistic observations, surveys, and with archival research.

Cross-sectional Survey

Also know as the synchronic study, a cross-sectional survey collects data at a single point in time but the questions asked of a participant may be about current and past experiences.  They are often done to evaluate some aspect of public health policy.

Epidemiological Study

Epidemiological studies evaluate the factors and associations linked to diseases.  Types of epidemiological studies include case series studies, case control studies, cohort studies, longitudinal studies, and outbreak investigations. Epidemiological studies are often beneficial in identifying areas for a more control research evaluation; however all to often, readers of epidemiological research mis-categorize links and associations as causes.  In addition, a common problem with epidemiological studies is that they rely on memory recall which can be quite unreliable.

In an experimental study, specific treatments are applied to a sample or group and the results are observed. It is otherwise called as True Research

Eg. Testing methods (use TV in classroom)

Eg. Testing methods (invented a new phenomena)

Eg. Testing methods (Is confidence develop from a Soap?)

Experimental Study

Literature & Content

Analysis Review Study

A literature review is an exhaustive search of all of the relevant literature related to a specific research topic. Content analysis deals with the Wrapper to Wrapper style, font, colour, binding, way of approach etc..,

A specific type of epidemiological study, the longitudinal study follows subjects over a long period of time, asking a specific research question with repeated samples of data gathered across the duration of the study.  These studies are often used as the basis for specific experimental studies.  For example, the Heart Study

Longitudinal Study

A meta-analysis is a statistical process in which the results of multiple studies evaluating a similar research objective are collected and pooled together.   They are often used to determine the effectiveness of healthcare interventions and experiments

Meta-analysis

Problems of Research Report

INTRODUCTION - Statement of the problem - Objective(s) of the research - Statement of the research question(s) - Statement of the hypotheses - Research background/context LITERATURE REVIEW - Orientation: comprehensive or selective?

» Have a plan; outline it » Set the context of your research » Show relateness to your research » Review key points in your words; quote little » Summarize to conclude this mini-essay

PLAN OF RESEARCH - Study/experimental design - Selection of cases/participants (sampling) - Setting - Data collection procedures and instruments - Data analysis - Outline or detailed description? PRESENTATION OF DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS - "A picture is worth…" INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE DATA (FINDINGS; WHAT IT ALL MEANS) CONCLUSION

» Summary of the report » Limitations of the study » Future research needs

Eg. A Research Title

Common Mistakes and Problems in Research Proposal Writing

An Assessment of Proposals for ResearchGrants Submitted to Research on Poverty

Alleviation REPOA (Tanzania)Martha A. S. Qorro

During the writing stage (Remove)

Plagiarism Paraphrasing Quotations

Plagiarism means using the ideas of someone else such as an author, critic,journalist, artist, composer, lecturer,or another student without giving them proper credit.

Format for Thesis Paper size and quality Font Textwidth Linespacing Paragraphs Margins Headings Figures and Tables Sequencing and Page numbers One Side vs. Two Side Printing

Structure of sentences

Simple sentences Compound sentences Length of sentences Match of tense and person Punctuation Some Thumb Rules

REPORT Organizing the report

Introduction

Theory and background

Experimental methods

Solution procedure

Results & Discussion

Conclusions & Suggestions References or Literature cited Nomenclature, Photos, Evidences Appendix-A, B,C,D, E…

E-journals – Types

Print and online - Combines print subscription with site-wide online access to the title

Online only – This entitles the customer to receive site wide online access only

Print only – The customer receives a print copy of each issue of the title for the calendar year

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