Lecture 2 Developing Research Qns & Study Plan Flashcards
What are some considerations when conceiving the research question?
- what are the impt research qns in the field?
- what has been found? what areas need further exploration? what are the research gaps?
- has a great deal of research already been conducted in the topic area?
- has such a study been conducted before? f so, is there room for improvement?
- is the timing right for the research qn to be answered? is it a hot topic/ becoming obsolete?
- would funding sources and scientific/professional community be interested?
- will the study have a significant impact on the field?
What are the key ingredients to developing a research qn?
- mastering the literature
- being alert to new ideas & techniques
- keeping the imagination roaming
- experience
What does it mean to master the literature?
conduct thorough search & critical appraisal of published literature in area of study (e.g. via systematic review)
- what aspects of the subject area have been examined by other researchers?
- what have they found out these aspects?
- what gaps are being identified?
- what suggestions have other researchers proposed for further research?
How can we be alert to new ideas and techniques?
- helpful to attend scientific conferences in which recent work is presented
- engage informal conversations with other scientists during the breaks
How to keep imagination roaming?
- careful observation
- critical thinking about clinical practices and problems
- thinking about new ways to solve old issues
- brainstorm sessions
- daydreaming
How can we gain experience?
- clinical practice
- find mentors
What are the characteristics of having a good research question?
FINER
Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant
How to get adequate number of subjects (feasible)?
- perform preliminary calculation of the sample size requirements of the study: statistical packages; sample size calculators
- may need to conduct pilot survey or chart review to be sure if can enrol enough subjects
- if no of subjects looks insufficient:
~ expand inclusion criteria
~ eliminate unnecessary exclusion criteria
~ lengthen time-frame for enrolling subjects
~ acquire additional sources of subjects by inviting colleagues to join in a multi-centre study
~ use a diff study design
How do we acquire adequate technical expertise (feasible)?
- investigators to have skills. equipment and experience needed for designing study, recruiting subjects, measure variables, and managing and analysing data
- invite experienced colleagues to be involved in the study as co-investigator
How to ensure time and money is affordable (feasible)?
- estimate costs of each component of project
- if projected costs»_space; available funds –> less expensive design or identify additional sources of funding
How to ensure that the scope is manageable (feasible)?
- narrow scope of study
- focus only on the most impt goals
What does it mean to have an interesting research qn?
- getting the answer intrigues the investigator, peers, and scientific/professional community
What does it mean to have an novel research qn?
- confirms, refutes or extends previous findings
- provides new findings
- dont need to be always original, can be worthwhile (e.g. previous study on small pop, now larger pop done to confirm the doubts)
- a confirmatory study is particularly useful if it avoids the weaknesses of previous studies
What does it mean to have an ethical research qn?
- IRB applications for research studies involving human participants
- if unacceptable physical risks/ invasion of privacy, investigator to seek other ways to answer the research qn
What does it mean to have an relevant research qn?
- have potential to contribute to and extend the scientific body of knowledge
- a strong research qn should always pass the ‘so what?’ test - who will the research help? what is the benefit?
- relevant to scientific knowledge, to clinical and health policy and to future research
