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Steps in Conducting aSteps in Conducting a
ResearchResearchDr. Sahar SabbourDr. Sahar Sabbour
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This presentation shows aThis presentation shows asummarized form of thesummarized form of the
different points in researchdifferent points in researchdesign and doesnt go intodesign and doesnt go into
details of each step.details of each step.
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Research Design StepsResearch Design Steps
Main outlines:Main outlines: TitleTitle Background and Significance (Introduction)Background and Significance (Introduction) Hypothesis and Research questionsHypothesis and Research questions ObjectivesObjectives MethodsMethods ResultsResults DiscussionDiscussion RecommendationsRecommendations Conclusion and SummaryConclusion and Summary ReferencesReferences AppendixAppendix
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TitleTitle
Functions of the title:Functions of the title: Identifies the main topic and scope of the study.Identifies the main topic and scope of the study.
Attracts readers.Attracts readers.
Guidelines:Guidelines: Should be informative.Should be informative.
Should be selfShould be self--explanatory to readers.explanatory to readers.
Should not be too broad; tells the reader tooShould not be too broad; tells the reader toolittle.little.
Avoid abbreviations.Avoid abbreviations.
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BackgroundBackground
Its purpose is to provide a starting pointIts purpose is to provide a starting point
to the work which follows.to the work which follows.
To convince the readers why this work isTo convince the readers why this work isdone.done.
To show context of the problem, definesTo show context of the problem, defines
terms.terms.
To identify gaps in knowledge.To identify gaps in knowledge.
Identifies the sources of information.Identifies the sources of information.
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Background..Background..
Guide in Contents:Guide in Contents: Information about the scope of the problem;Information about the scope of the problem;
use statistics and rates.use statistics and rates.
An explanation of why this study needs to beAn explanation of why this study needs to bedone and why it is necessary for the targetdone and why it is necessary for the targetpopulation.population.
A critical review of the relevant literature.A critical review of the relevant literature.
Point out how your proposed findings will helpPoint out how your proposed findings will helpresolve important issues in the field (possibleresolve important issues in the field (possiblebenefits).benefits).
What did you aim to add?What did you aim to add?
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Background..Background..
Overall, it should provide a map for theOverall, it should provide a map for the
reader to follow by outlining a structure.reader to follow by outlining a structure.
Make it interesting.Make it interesting. Make certain that your backgroundMake certain that your background
discussion remains focused on the issuesdiscussion remains focused on the issues
your research will address.your research will address.
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Hypothesis and ResearchHypothesis and Research
QuestionsQuestions What are the questions that are outstanding and needWhat are the questions that are outstanding and needanswer?answer?
Put a hypothesisPut a hypothesis::
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of aA hypothesis is a proposed explanation of aphenomenon. Generally hypotheses should proposephenomenon. Generally hypotheses should proposesome correlation e.g.:some correlation e.g.:
Hormone intake may be associated with breast cancerHormone intake may be associated with breast cancer
in women.in women.
Research hypothesis will be tested in your study, itResearch hypothesis will be tested in your study, itmight be correct or incorrect.might be correct or incorrect.
The hypothesis is always subject to further test..The hypothesis is always subject to further test..
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ObjectivesObjectives
Setting objectives: Clear statements of the aimsSetting objectives: Clear statements of the aims
Objectives should beObjectives should be::
SpecificSpecific Linked to general aimLinked to general aim
Stated in terms of outcome to be achievedStated in terms of outcome to be achieved(attainable)(attainable)
Limited timeLimited time
Measurement specified: written in a measurableMeasurement specified: written in a measurableterm.term.
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ObjectivesObjectives
Flow between aims is important and helpsFlow between aims is important and helps
background stays concise.background stays concise.
Dont be over ambitious.Dont be over ambitious.
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Subjects and MethodsSubjects and Methods
This section outlines research methods to showThis section outlines research methods to showwhat will be done and how.what will be done and how.
Research strategy (Study Design):Research strategy (Study Design):Will you use descriptive, analytic orWill you use descriptive, analytic or
experimental strategies?experimental strategies?
Study population:Study population:What will be the unit of observation?What will be the unit of observation?
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Subjects and MethodsSubjects and Methods
SamplingSampling : Is sampling needed?,: Is sampling needed?,
What type of sampling is appropriate,What type of sampling is appropriate,
What is the adequate sample size to test yourWhat is the adequate sample size to test your
hypothesis,hypothesis,
Are controls needed, how are they selected?,Are controls needed, how are they selected?,
how will you ensure comparability of studyhow will you ensure comparability of studygroups.groups.
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Subjects and Methods.Subjects and Methods.
Study toolsStudy tools (study instruments):(study instruments):
What measurements and procedures will youWhat measurements and procedures will you
use in data collection?use in data collection?
Check reliability and validity of yourCheck reliability and validity of your
instrument, quality control.instrument, quality control.
How are your instruments preHow are your instruments pre--tested, howtested, how
will you train interviewers, what facilities arewill you train interviewers, what facilities are
needed.needed.
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Subjects and Methods.Subjects and Methods.
Plans for Data processing, tabulation andPlans for Data processing, tabulation and
analysis: what statistical tests will you apply?analysis: what statistical tests will you apply?
Plans for Budget, Funds, Time table.Plans for Budget, Funds, Time table.
Ethical committee approval.Ethical committee approval.
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Literature ReviewLiterature Review
This section is a summary of all theThis section is a summary of all the
significant information that has alreadysignificant information that has alreadybeen written on your subject existingbeen written on your subject existing
information.information.
It usually contains a lot of referencing asIt usually contains a lot of referencing asyou are citing ideas from other authors.you are citing ideas from other authors.
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ResultsResults
This section presents data.This section presents data. It can be done in a range of ways such asIt can be done in a range of ways such as
tables, graphs, diagrams, flow charts.tables, graphs, diagrams, flow charts.
Use tables when details of data are needed.Use tables when details of data are needed. Use graphs when only impressions are needed.Use graphs when only impressions are needed.
Comparisons and associations: use tests ofComparisons and associations: use tests of
significance, correlations. as statistical tools.significance, correlations. as statistical tools. Interpret your results:Interpret your results:
e.g. Data:e.g. Data: 3737..88 cc
What is the information ?: MildF
ever What is the information ?: MildF
ever
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DiscussionDiscussion
In this section you should:In this section you should:
Interpret and analyze results and data.Interpret and analyze results and data.
Make comparisons.Make comparisons. Draw together concepts, facts, policies,Draw together concepts, facts, policies,
events..events..
Link different sections of the discussionLink different sections of the discussiontogether, use a topic sentence that introducestogether, use a topic sentence that introducesthe section that follows.the section that follows.
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Discussion..Discussion..
Discuss methods, and their limitations,Discuss methods, and their limitations,
Discuss your results in light of confirmatory andDiscuss your results in light of confirmatory andconflicting reportsconflicting reports
Discuss possible mechanisms or explanations.Discuss possible mechanisms or explanations.
Discuss implications.Discuss implications.
State points which needs further studies.State points which needs further studies.
Conclude:Conclude:
What is the message?What is the message?
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ConclusionConclusion
It should be a brief summary of theIt should be a brief summary of the
main points developed in themain points developed in the
research.research.
Restate arguments developed in theRestate arguments developed in the
main body of the report.main body of the report.
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RecommendationsRecommendations
The purpose of the research is to ultimatelyThe purpose of the research is to ultimately
recommend a course of action.recommend a course of action.
Recommendations may involve:Recommendations may involve: Methods, procedures or approaches forMethods, procedures or approaches for
solving particular problems,solving particular problems,
F
urther work or actions or research to beF
urther work or actions or research to becompleted.completed.
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ReferencesReferences
There should be a reference list.There should be a reference list.
Follow guidelines in writing the references.Follow guidelines in writing the references.
N
ame of author/editorN
ame of author/editorTitle of journal/bookTitle of journal/book
Year of publicationYear of publication
Volume no./publisherVolume no./publisher
Title of article/ chapterTitle of article/ chapter
First and last pagesFirst and last pages
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AppendicesAppendices
It includes any supplementary material as:It includes any supplementary material as:
Long tablesLong tables
QuestionnairesQuestionnaires
Letters, extracts from other reportsLetters, extracts from other reports
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AbstractAbstract It is a summary of the whole report; a shortIt is a summary of the whole report; a short
indication of the paper content.indication of the paper content.
Also called an executive summary.Also called an executive summary.
Structured abstract should include all the mainStructured abstract should include all the main
points of the report: Background, Methods,points of the report: Background, Methods,Results, Conclusion (Results, Conclusion (usually not exceed 250 wordusually not exceed 250 word).).
Does not include quotes, examples or details.Does not include quotes, examples or details.
Usually written in a smaller font or with a singleUsually written in a smaller font or with a singlespace between lines.space between lines.
Follow specific guidelines of each journal,Follow specific guidelines of each journal,
conference or others.conference or others.
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AcknowledgementAcknowledgement Research Design check list : Dr. AbdelResearch Design check list : Dr. Abdel--Rehiem OmranRehiem Omran
Prof. of Epidemiology, USAProf. of Epidemiology, USA for his soul).(for his soul).
Grant writing workshop 14Grant writing workshop 14--17 Nov. 2005 held in WHO17 Nov. 2005 held in WHO--
EMRO Cairo, Egypt (quoted from the presentation of Dr.EMRO Cairo, Egypt (quoted from the presentation of Dr.
Christopher Loffredo) Prof. of Cancer Genetics andChristopher Loffredo) Prof. of Cancer Genetics andEpidemiology. Georgetown University, School of Medicine,Epidemiology. Georgetown University, School of Medicine,
Washington,USAWashington,USA
THANKYOU