LEC 2 Developing Research Questions & Study Plan Flashcards
1
Q
Key ingredients to developing a research question (4)
A
- Experience
- Imagination
- Aware of new ideas/techniques
- Mastering the literature
2
Q
Why is conducting thorough search & critical appraisal of published literature in the area of study important?
A
- identify what has been studied & what areas are lacking
- identify gaps & address them in your study
- retrieve suggestions on how to improve the study in the area from other researchers in their published article
3
Q
How to develop a good research question?
A
FINER criteria
Feasibility Interest Novel Ethical Relevance
4
Q
Feasibility considerations (5)
A
Adequacy in :
- sample size
- budget
- time
- technical expertise
- manageability
5
Q
How to determine the adequate sample size of study? (2)
A
- use sample size calculators to calculate the minimum required sample size
eg OpenEpi - +10-20% in case of loss to follow up etc
6
Q
Is the calculated minimum sample size achievable?
A
- do pilot testing or chart review
7
Q
If the calculated minimum sample size is not achievable,
5
A
- Increase inclusion criteria
- Eliminate unnecessary exclusion criteria
- Lengthen time-frame for enrolling subjects
- Use other sources of subjects
- Change study design
8
Q
If the project cost > available funds, (2)
A
- Use less expensive design
2. Source for additional funds
9
Q
Novel
A
- confirms, refutes or extends previous findings
- need not be totally original
eg conduct same study but different population
10
Q
Ethicality
A
- require IRB approval
11
Q
IRB
A
Institutional Review Board
12
Q
Relevance
A
- to scientific knowledge
- to clinical & health policy
- to future research
13
Q
How to frame research question?
A
PICOT
Population Intervention Comparison Outcome Time-frame
14
Q
Time-frame
A
- duration of time for follow up to assess outcome, NOT the duration of treatment
15
Q
Hypothesis definition (2)
A
- a speculative statement that suggests an answer to the research question
- must be testable
