Research Problem Flashcards
What is the general research process? (8 steps)
- Problem identification
- Literature review
- Formulation of research aims, objectives, questions and hypotheses
- Methodology development
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Report generation
- Findings dissemination
What are the steps in problem identification?
- Identify general and sub-areas of interest
- Develop and refine research problem
- Generate problem
statement - Formulate aims and objectives, questions, and
hypotheses
What are the sources of research problems?
Clinical experience
Existing literature
Specific interest
Personal experience
Theories
Social issues
Folklore
Expert opinions
What are the aspects of a research problem?
- People – Individuals, groups,
communities, organizations
(e.g. Patients with obesity) - Problem – Unmet needs,
contradictions, unclear
relationships, troubling
situation
(e.g. Difficulties controlling
dietary behaviours) - Programme – content,
structure, mode of delivery
(e.g. Behaviour change programs) - Phenomenon – causal effect,
associations, perceptions
(e.g. effectiveness of the behaviour change program on improving diet control)
What are some considerations (of a research problem) according to literature review and other existing information?
Interest
Supported by literature
- Do others share similar prioritisation of the
problem?
- How much has this topic been explored? Any
gaps?
Significant
- What is so important about solving the problem?
Novel
- Original and unique, assesses a knowledge gap?
Timely
- Is it a hot topic now that is currently a need in the field?
Magnitude of the problem
- What is the prevalence or severity of the problem?
Feasibility
- Experience/available knowledge
- Data availability (e.g. access to population, size of accessibility)
- Ethical issues
What is a problem statement?
A clear and concise explanation of issue/challenge that you are targeting (to allow readers to quickly understand your intent).
Components of a problem statement
- Background/context
- identify problem and what is the ideal scenario without the problem?
- What has been done to solve the problem and what are
the shortcomings? - Significance
- How does the problem hinder ideal scenario?
- Problem’s negative impact(s)?
- Who will be most affected by solving the problem?
- What is the consequence of not solving the problem?
- What is the knowledge gap
that will be addressed? - Solution
- Realistic aim and objectives, how will the study contribute to the solution of the problem?
How to formulate aims
Aim: Should be broad, general, long-term
e.g. To develop and implement a novel behaviour change programme that improves weight loss among people with obesity
How to set an objective
Objectives: Should be specific, focused, short-term, measurable
E.g. To test the effectiveness of a novel behaviour change program in improving
weight loss among people with obesity
How to formulate research question
rephrase objectives to focus on variables (PICO/PICo)
E.g. Research question: What is the effectiveness of a novel behaviour change
program in improving weight loss among people with obesity?
How to formulate research hypotheses (if applicable)
E.g. Hypothesis: Patients receiving the novel behaviour change program will have a
higher amount of weight loss as compared to those who do not
Research verbs to use in aims and objective to “UNDERSTAND”
Review
Identify
Explore
Discover
Discuss
Summarize
Describe
Research verbs to use in aims and objective to “APPLY”
Interpret
Apply
Demonstrate
Establish
Determine
Estimate
Calculate
Relate
Research verbs to use in aims and objective to “ANALYSE”
Analyse
Compare
Inspect
Examine
Verify
Select
Arrange
Research verbs to use in aims and objective to “SYNTHESISE”
Propose
Design
Formulate
Collect
Construct
Prepare
Undertake
Assemble