Transcript Formulating Research Problem

Formulating Research
Problem
COMMUNITY RESEARCH PROGRAM
2012
Introduction
Research problem:
 Uncertainty about something in the
population
 To be resolved
 By making measurement
Choosing research questions
Infer
Truth in the
universe
Research
question
Infer
Truth in the
study
Error
Study
plan
Design
Finding in
the study
Error
Actual
study
Implement
Target
Population
Intended
sample
Actual
subject
Phenomena
of interest
Intended
variable
Actual
measurement
What is research problem?
Question to be answered
Assumption to be challenged
Should be able to withstand the scientific
scrutiny
The destination of a research
Confusion is often but a first step towards clarity
Process of problem identification
Depends on:
expertise in research methodology
Knowledge in the subject area
Understanding of the issue
The extent to focus on the study
Origin of Research Problem
• Literature
searching
• Research
meeting
• Good mentor
• Good
relationship
• Conference
• Septical attitude
• New insight on
new technology
Mastering
Literature
Alert on new
ideas/
technique
Mentor
Imagination
• Observation
• Creativity
Generating Research Ideas
From
common
sense
• Question everything
• True? When is it not
true? Why is it true?
• Attack practical problems
• Questions to ask
• Who/When/Why/How
• What are its effects
(short-term, long-term,
good, bad)?
From
previous
research
• Easy way to get started
• Likely to produce relevant
research
• Consider improving study
• Consider extending study
Good research question
Feasible
•# of subject
•Expertise
•Resource
Interesting
•For one’s
self
Novel
•Confirm
•New finding
Ethical
•Approved
Relevant
•To scientific
knowledge
•To policy
•To future
research
Things to be considered
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of Concepts
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data
Ethical issues
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Identify the area of interest
Dissect into sub-areas
Select 1 sub-area consider study population, method
Raise research question  that can/should be answered
Formulate objectives
Assess the objectives
Double check the interest
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Step 1
Identify
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Mortality
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Step 2
Dissect
1.
2.
3.
Trends in pulmonary tuberculosis mortality in Bandung
Impact of health services on pulmonary tuberculosis
mortality in Bandung
Impact of socio-economic status on pulmonary
tuberculosis mortality in Bandung
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Step 3
Select
Impact of health services on
pulmonary tuberculosis
mortality in Bandung
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Step 4
Raise Question
Study population? Methods?
1.
2.
3.
4.
What kind of health services that are available for patients with
pulmonary tuberculosis in Bandung?
Are there any difference of the quality pulmonary tuberculosis care in
those health services?
Are pulmonary tuberculosis mortality rate differ among those health
services?
Is pulmonary tuberculosis mortality rate decreasing by the
improvement of the quality of care?
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Step 5
Formulate objectives
Main Objective: to explore the impact of health services on pulmonary
tuberculosis mortality in Bandung
Specific objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To explore the available health services for patients with pulmonary
tuberculosis in Bandung
To identify difference of the quality of care in those health services
To identify the pulmonary tuberculosis mortality rate in different
health services
To ascertain that pulmonary tuberculosis mortality rate is decreasing
by the improvement of the quality of care
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Step 6
Make sure
Assess the objectives considering:
1. The work involved
2. The time availability
3. The financial resources
4. Technical expertise
5. Ethical issue
Steps to formulate a research
problem
Step 7
Double check
1. Your interest
2. The objectives of the study
3. Adequate resources
4. Technically expertise
5. Ethical issue
Exercise I
Research problem will be elaborated in the
background of your thesis
1. Read 2 ‘background’ in minor thesis
2. formulate (a) research problem(s) taken
from our website.
3. Submit it during lab session