The Anatomy of Research
Presented by:
Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi, PhD
September 2013
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Objectives:
• Outline tangible element of a research question
• Identify decisions to be made for selection of
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•
•
research design
Describe the purpose of literature review
Identify decisions to be made in choosing the
study subjects
Identify decisions to be made in choosing study
variables
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The Research Process
The steps of any population health research
project are:
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What Is Research made of ?
Study Question!
Identifying a study topic is often the most
challenging part of a research project.
Each of the possible study topics has its
own set of virtues and shortcomings.
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Brainstorming
• Review of previous scholarly work
• Meeting experts
• Attending conferences
• Participating in meetings
• Building relationship with an expert/mentor
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Brainstorming Questions
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Key Words: Example
Initial brainstorming about
aging
Osteoporosis
Falls
Bedsores
Physical therapy
Calcium
Rehabilitation
Prevention
Home safety
Bone density
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Topic Mapping
• Begin by creating a long list of possible
study topics:
– Jot down areas of personal interest
– Ask friends / colleagues for ideas
– Skim abstracts, journals, and books for
inspiration
• What topics emerge as a repeating
theme?
• What might be enjoyable to explore?
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MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)
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Exposure, Disease, Population
Most topics in population health research
can be expressed in terms of:
[exposure] and [disease/outcome] in
[population]
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Examples of Types of Exposures
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Examples of Types of Diseases
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Examples of Types of Populations
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“EDP” Study Questions
• Are exercise habits [exposure] related to the risk
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of bone fractures [disease] in adults with
diabetes [population]?
Is reproductive history [exposure] related to the
risk of stroke [disease] among women living in
rural Ontario [population]?
Is household wealth [exposure] related to the
risk of hospitalization for asthma [disease] in
Australian children younger than 5 years old
[population]?
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FINER
Criteria for a Research Question
• F = Feasible
– Adequate # of subjects,
– Adequate technical expertise,
– Affordable in time, money,
– Manageable in scope.
– It helps to know your limits early on to avoid
wasting time and effort over something that is
not going to work.
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FINER Criteria for a Research
Question (cont.)
• I = Interesting
– Answering the question is interesting,
not because, you have to do it.
– Confirm the interest of the question
with your mentor before investing
energy and time in development of
research protocol
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FINER Criteria for a Research
Question (cont.)
• N = Novel
– It contributes to new information by:
• confirming or refuting previous findings,
• extends previous findings,
• provides new findings
– you should be able to answer the “so
what” question
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FINER Criteria for a Research
Question (cont.)
• E = Ethical
– A good research question should be ethical
– It should not posses unacceptable physical
risk to the subjects or invasion of their privacy
– If so you need to find some other ways to
answer your research question
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FINER Criteria for a Research
Question (cont.)
• R = Relevant
Is the outcome of the study:
– relevant to scientific knowledge,
– clinical management,
– health policy, and/or
– guides future research direction
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Problems & Solutions
The RQ is not FINER
1. Not feasible (too broad)
• Not enough subject available
• Method beyond your skills
• Too expensive
2. Not interesting, novel, or relevant
• Consult with your mentor
• Modify RQ
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Problems & Solutions
3.
• Uncertain ethical suitability
• Consult with IRB
• Modify RP
4. The study plan is vague
• Write the outline of the RP as soon as
you can
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Exercise
• What is the relationship between
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•
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depression and health?
Write in a single sentence a predictor,
outcome, and population.
Discuss whether it meets the FINER criteria
Rewrite the sentence in a form that
overcomes any problems in meeting
criteria.
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Points to Consider
• Is the question important and relevant?
• Can the question be answered the way it is
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written?
To answer the question what needs to be
defined?
Is the answer to the question population
sensitive?
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Possible Answer
• Among college freshmen, does depression
assessed by the CES-D predict health
status measured by the Rand General
Health Questionnaire four years later?
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