Transcript The Fundamentals of Research

Fundamentals of
Quality Health Research
FH Health Research Intelligence
Group
What is Research?
“….the systematic process of collecting and
analyzing information (data) in order to
increase our understanding of the phenomenon
about which we are concerned or interested.”
(Leedy and Ormrod, 2001)
FH Research Definitions
Research Involving Human Subjects
Research involving human subjects is defined as any
systematic investigation (including pilot studies,
exploratory studies, and academic course work
assignments) designed to contribute to generalizable
knowledge. Generalizable knowledge consists of facts,
theories, principles or relationships, or the accumulation
of information on which they are based, that can be
corroborated by accepted scientific methods of
observation and inference.
(The ethical conduct of research and other studies involving human subjects.
Section 2.2) http://www.fraserhealth.ca/Initiatives/Research/Policies.htm)
Research Characteristics
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1. Originates with question/problem
2. Follows a specific plan or procedure
3. Guided by the hypothesis, question or
problem
4. Accepts certain critical assumptions
5. Requires collection and interpretation of
data
6. Cyclical in nature
Types of Health Research
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Biomedical Research
Clinical Research
Health Services/Systems Research
Population Health Research
Health Research
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Biomedical Research
To understand normal and abnormal functioning at
the molecular, cellular, organ system and whole body
levels.
 Includes the development of tools and techniques
and new therapies or devices that can improve health
and quality of life up to the point where they are
tested on human subjects.
 Does not have a diagnostic or therapeutic
orientation.
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Health Research
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Clinical Research
Targets improving the diagnosis and treatment of
disease and injury.
 Focus on the health and quality of life of
individuals.
 Includes research on animal models of human
disease, clinical trials and other therapeutic
interventions.
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Health Research
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Health Services/Systems Research
Multidisciplinary field
 Aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
health professionals and the health care system.
 Interventions at the level of practice and policy.
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Health Research
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Population Health Research
Studies the impact of social and environmental
factors on the health of
populations/subpopulations.
 May examine social, cultural, environmental,
occupational, and economic factors that determine
health status.
 Research data is used to identify areas where the
health of a population can be improved.
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Conducting Research
CIHR Evaluation Guidelines
 Significance and relevance to health
 Knowledge of the field (cited literature)
 Clear, testable hypothesis or central research
problem
 Originality and innovation in concept or
approach
 Feasibility of work plan
Significance and Relevance to Health
Research begins with the identification of a
problem/knowledge gap and formulation of a
research question.
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Identifying this problem can be the hardest part of research.
The problem or question does not have to be complex.
Where to obtain a research idea
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Experience in your area of specialty.
Knowledge of the relevant literature and issues.
Practice guidelines.
Journal editorials and review articles.
Significance and Relevance to Health
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Good research proposals should:
Address an important question.
 State the problem clearly and completely.
 Advance knowledge.
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How do you know if your idea is good?
Talk to your peers and other experts in your field.
 Obtain an outside opinion.
 Look to the literature to see if it has already been
studied.
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Knowledge of the Field
Sources of Research Literature
 Journal articles – PUBMED, MEDLINE,
EMBASE, etc
 Conference papers - Conference Proceedings
 Dissertations - Dissertation Abstracts
 Gray literature (reports, working papers,
government documents)
Knowledge of the Field
What to look for
 Systematic Reviews
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Meta-analysis
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An approach to summarizing the medical literature where the
methods undertaken to conduct the search are reported so
that it may be replicated and updated.
A review that uses quantitative methods to summarize the
results.
Review Articles
Original Articles
Knowledge of the Field
What is the best evidence?
Type of Question
Type of Study
Therapy
Double Blind RCT
Diagnosis
Controlled Trial
Prognosis
Cohort Studies,
Case Control,
Case Series
Etiology
Cohort Studies
Prevention
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort Studies
Quality Improvement
Randomized Controlled Trial
Knowledge of the Field
What to use: The levels of evidence (Sackett, 2000)
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1A = Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
(RCTs)
1B = RCTs with Narrow Confidence Interval
1C = All or None Case Series
2A = Systematic Review Cohort Studies
2B = Cohort Study/Low Quality RCT
2C = Outcomes Research
3A = Systematic Review of Case-Controlled Studies
3B = Case-controlled Study
4 = Case Series, Poor Cohort Case Controlled
5 = Expert Opinion
Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Factors to consider when developing an hypothesis
or statement of the research question:
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Phase
Theory Building
 Testing
 Theory Extension
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Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Factors to consider when developing an hypothesis
or statement of the research question:
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Purpose
Exploration
 Description
 Explanation
 Prediction
 Hypothesis Testing
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Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Factors to consider when developing an hypothesis
or statement of the research question:
 Unit of Analysis
 Individual
 Dyad
 Group
 Organizational Unit
 Industry Segment / Sector
 Community
 Society
Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Factors to consider when developing an hypothesis
or statement of the research question:
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Definition
Population
 Sampling Frame
 Sample
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Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Factors to consider when developing an hypothesis
or statement of the research question:
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Time Horizon
Snapshot
 Cross- Sectional
 Longitudinal
 Retrospective
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Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Factors to consider when developing an hypothesis
or statement of the research question:
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Study Setting
Natural
 Contrived
 Researcher Influence
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Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Research Design – depends on the research question
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Descriptive
Analytic
Experimental
Quasi-Experimental
Qualitative
Methodology Comparison
Qualitative
Quantitative
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Explanation, prediction
Test theories
Known variables
Larger sample
Standardized instruments
Deductive
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Explanation, description
Build theories
Unknown variables
Smaller sample
Observations, interviews
Inductive
Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Method:
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Subjects/Patients/Units of Measure
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Procedure
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Sample size and justification
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Detailed account of how the research design is executed
Provides information on timelines and measures
Sufficient information so that it can be replicated
Analysis
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Statistical analysis is appropriate for the research design and
will answer the research question
Clear, Testable Problem/Hypothesis
Methodological Consideration
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Objectivity/Bias
Definitions
Reliability
Validity
Assumptions
Limitations
Confounds
Originality and Innovation in
Concept or Approach
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Open up a new area
Provide a unifying framework
Resolve a long-standing question
Thoroughly explore an area
Challenge existing knowledge
Experimentally validate a theory
Produce an efficient system
Provide needed empirical data
Derive superior algorithms
Develop new methodology
Develop a new tool
Feasibility of Work Plan
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Time
Human Resources
Technology
Money
FH Health Research Intelligence Group
How can we help?
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Grant Facilitator-Writer
Conducting a search for funding opportunities
Automatic notification of new funding sources and
deadlines
Identifying a research team
Preparing letters of intent
Identifying resources required for conducting the
research
Formulating the research budget
Writing the grant application
Understanding FH and funding agency requirements
regarding preparation of specific documents
FH Health Research Intelligence
Group
How can we help?
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Epidemiologist
Specifying the research goal, objectives and hypothesis
Identifying measurable outcomes
Specifying the variables for analysis
Identifying sources of data
Developing data collection tools for quantitative or qualitative
studies
Developing the statistical analysis plan
Analyzing the data
Understanding how to use statistical software, such as SPSS