Steps in the Research Process

Summary

This video introduces research methodology and biostatistics concepts, guiding students through the essential steps of scientific inquiry. Topics covered include formulating research questions, reviewing literature, hypothesis development, and research design. The video emphasizes the importance of sampling methods, data collection techniques, and statistical analysis. It explains how findings are generalized and interpreted, and concludes with a brief on report preparation, focusing on the standard structure of research papers. The session aims to equip viewers with the foundational knowledge required for conducting robust research and reporting results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research is often likened to an hourglass, starting broad and narrowing down to specific questions and methodologies before expanding again to application and documentation.
• 😀 The research problem should be feasible, relevant, timely, and ethically sound, while also being of interest to the research community.
• 😀 PICO is a framework used to formulate clinical research questions, focusing on Patient, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome, with optional Time for added specificity.
• 😀 Research design is a blueprint that guides the entire research process, ensuring that data is gathered and analyzed effectively.
• 😀 Observational studies, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional, help researchers understand relationships between variables without manipulation.
• 😀 Experimental studies like Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are key in testing hypotheses by manipulating variables and controlling for confounding factors.
• 😀 Sampling can be categorized as probability or non-probability, with methods like simple random and purposive sampling, each serving different research needs.
• 😀 Data is divided into primary and secondary categories, with primary data collected directly from sources and secondary data coming from existing studies or databases.
• 😀 Statistical methods help summarize and analyze data, with inferential statistics (e.g., hypothesis testing) being crucial for making broader conclusions from sample data.
• 😀 Generalization from a sample to a population involves inductive inference, which should be based on observed data and carefully considered before making broad conclusions.
• 😀 Research reports typically follow the IMRaD structure—Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion—with variations based on institutional preferences.

Q & A

What is the Hourglass Model of Research, and why is it important?

The Hourglass Model of Research is a conceptual framework that illustrates the flow of research from a broad topic to specific methodology and application, before expanding to report results. It is important because it provides a structured approach to research, ensuring a logical progression from problem identification to the dissemination of findings.

How does the research process typically begin?

The research process typically begins with identifying a broad research topic. This is followed by reviewing existing literature to understand current knowledge and trends, ultimately narrowing down to a specific research question or hypothesis.

What role does literature review play in the research process?

The literature review helps define research gaps, builds a foundation for the study, and refines the research problem. It also informs the methodology and allows researchers to build on previous findings.

What is a hypothesis, and how is it formulated?

A hypothesis is a testable statement about the relationship between variables. It is formulated based on existing evidence or theoretical frameworks and is tested during the research to validate or reject it.

What are the key components of a research design?

A research design consists of the study design (observational or experimental), the sampling design (probability or non-probability sampling), and the measurement design (data types and collection methods). These components guide the entire research process.

What is the difference between primary and secondary data?

Primary data is collected firsthand by the researcher for a specific study, while secondary data refers to data that has been previously collected for a different purpose but can be used in the current study.

How are data analyzed in qualitative research?

In qualitative research, data are analyzed by identifying patterns or themes within the data. This analysis helps draw insights about the social or behavioral phenomena being studied.

What is statistical generalization in quantitative research?

Statistical generalization is the process of applying findings from a sample to the larger population. It is commonly used in quantitative research to make broad conclusions based on statistical analysis of sample data.

What is inductive inference, and why is it important in research?

Inductive inference is the process of drawing general conclusions from specific observations. It is important because it allows researchers to extrapolate findings from a sample to a larger population, contributing to broader knowledge and insights.

What is the significance of reporting research findings in a structured format?

Reporting research findings in a structured format, including sections like introduction, methods, results, and discussion, ensures clarity and consistency. It allows others to replicate or build on the research, contributing to the scientific community's understanding.