1. Research question
Dr Tarek Tawfik Amin
Professor of Public Health
Cairo University

2. Research?
 More than a set of skills, it is away of
thinking: examining critically the various
aspects of day to day professional work;
 Understanding and formulating guiding
principles that govern a particular
procedures;
 Developing and testing new theories for the
enhancement of your practice.
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

3. Working Definition
• It is the habit of questioning with
systematic examination of the observed
information to find answers which may
results in more effective professional
services. Kumar R 2005.

4. Definition:
Research is a structured inquiry that
utilizes acceptable scientific
methodology to solve problems and
creates new knowledge that is generally
applicable. Grinnell 1993
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

5. Types of research
Application
Pure
research
Applied
research
Objectives
Descriptive
research
Correlational
research
Inquiry mode
Exploratory
research
Explanatory
research
Quantitative
research
Qualitative
research

6. Research process “The 8 steps model”
Research design:
functions
FINER
Literature
review
Formulating
a research
question
Methods and
tools of data
collection
Instruments
for data
collection
Research
design
Sampling theory
and designs
Selecting
a sample
Research
protocol
writing
Methods of data
Processing:
computing
and statistics
Data
collection
Editing
Study designs
Variables and
hypotheses: definition
and typology
What
How
Data
processing
Research
report
Coding
Code
book
Field test
of the tools
Validity and
reliability of the
research tool
Principles of
Scientific writing
Contents of
research proposal
Conducting of the study

7. I- Conceiving the Research Question.
The research question is the uncertainty about
something in the population that the
investigator wants to resolve by making
measurements on his study subjects.
No shortage of questions as one leads
to another.
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

8. Tamoxifen and Cancer Breast.
Tamoxifen reduces the risk of cancer breast
during 4 years of use by women at high risk of
breast cancer.
Many other questions evolved:
o Does tamoxifen reduce the risk of death due to breast
cancer?
o How long should treatment be continued?
o Might other drugs with the same action are beneficial
without the risk of tamoxifen-induced thromboembolism?
o Does the use of such drug increases the risk for other cancer
(ovarian)?
The difficulty in question lies in finding one
that can be transformed into a feasible and
valid study plan.
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

9. Origins of a research question.
 For established investigator:
The best research questions usually emerge from
findings and problems faced and observed in prior
studies, and in those of other workers in the field
“Major Players”.
 For new and other investigators:
☼
Mastering of the literature.
☼
Being alert to new ideas and techniques.
☼
Keeping the imagination roaming.
☼
Attending seminar, workshops and conferences.
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

10. Reviewing of the existing literature
Essential at all steps of your journey
Time consuming
Frustrating
Inappropriate keywords
Searching methods (strategies)
The initial paradox
Provides the background/rationale for your research (clarity and focus)
Refine your research methodology (links/associations/new approaches)
How your work will contribute to the body of knowledge (compared to others’)
Broaden your knowledge base (writing)
How to integrate your work (writing)

11. Paradox of literature review
Lack of idea about the problem to be investigated
The literature search shape your research problem

12. Formulating research problem
Potential research questions may occur to us
on a regular basis, but the process of
formulating them in a meaningful way is not
at all an easy task.
(Meenaghan & Twoomey 1985)

13. Research problem
“Garbage in, garbage out”
Research problem is the input into the study
which influence the quality of your research
(output).
Problem formulation will govern the design,
sampling, instruments used, and analysis
used.

14. Research problems (the 4Ps)
Aspect of study
about
Study of
Study population
People
Individuals,
organizations, groups,
communities
Subject areas
Problem
Issues, situations,
associations, needs,
profiles etc.,
Program
Phenomenon
Content structure,
outcomes, attributes,
etc.,
Cause-effect,
relationships, etc.,
Provide you with
required information
or you collect
information from
them
Information that you
need to collect to
find answers to your
research question

15. Considerations in selecting a research problem (topic)
Interest
Magnitude
Personal interest, motivation
How much is required
Measurement
Availability of indicators and measurement of concepts and variables
Expertise
Know your limitations, ask for help
Relevance
Relevant to your profession, bridging gap, and add new knowledge
Data availability
In case of using secondary sources
Ethical considerations

16. Steps in formulation of a research problem
Indentify
broad field
or subject
area of your
interest
Dissect the
broad area
into subareas
Assess your
objectives
and double
check for
sufficient
interest
Formulate
the
objectives
Select what
is of most
interest to
you
Raise the
research
question

17. Review of
literature at
all steps
Physical
activity
Am I
interested in
doing that
Tools,
sample,
resources
etc.,
Steps in formulation of a research problem
Prevalence
Barriers
Profile
Genders
Sedenatrism
Attitudes
Knowledge
Objective:
assessing the
population
knowledge
about the role
of PA in
cancer
prevention.
Knowledge
of the role of
PA and
cancer
prevention
How much is
the population
knowledge
gap about PA
and cancer
prevention?

18. Characteristics of a good research question “FINER Criteria”.
Feasible
Interesting
Novel
Ethical
Relevant
Adequate number of subjects.
Adequate technical expertise
Affordable in time and money
Manageable in scope
To the investigator
Confirms or refuses previous findings
Extends previous findings
Provides new findings
To scientific knowledge
To clinical and health policy
To future research directions

19. The research question should specifies!
Predictor
Exposure
Smoking
Confounders
Confounders
Occupational hazards
Outcome
Disease
Cancer lung

20. The research question and study plan: problems and solutions
Potential problem
The research question is not FINER
1- Not feasible
too broad
not enough subjects available
methods beyond the skills of the
investigator
too expensive
2- Not interesting, novel, or relevant
3- Uncertain ethical suitability
The study plan is vague
Solutions
Specify a smaller set of variables
Narrow the question.
Expand the inclusion criteria
Eliminate or modify exclusion criteria
Add other sources of subjects
Lengthen the time frame for entry into study
Use strategies to decrease sample size
Collaborate with those who have skills
Consult and review the literature for alternative
methods
Consult and modify the research question

21. The structure of a research project is set out in
its protocol, the written plan of the study.
The functions of the protocol are:
 Seeking grant funds.
 Helping the investigator to organize his research in a
logical, focused, and efficient way.
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

22. Elements of protocol
Research questions
Significance (background)
Design
time frame
epidemiologic approach
Subjects
selection criteria
sampling design
Variables
predictor variables
confounding
outcome variables
Statistical issues
hypotheses
sample size
analytic approach
Purpose
What questions will the study address?
Why are these questions important?
How is the study structured?
Who are the subjects and how will they be
selected?
What measurements will be made?
How large is the study and how will it be
analyzed?

23. Exercise:
Consider the following research questions.
First, write each question in a single
sentence that specifies a predictor, outcome,
and population.
Then discuss whether it meets the FINER
criteria.
Rewrite the question in a form that
overcomes any problems in meeting their
criteria.
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

24. Exercise:
A. What is the relationship between depression and
health?
B. Does eating red meat cause cancer?
C. Does lowering serum cholesterol prevent heart
disease?
D. Can a relaxation exercise decrease the anxiety
associated with mammography?
E. Do contraceptive vaginal sponges prevent HIV
infection?
F. Does dietary pattern among school children affect
their health?
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik

25. Assignment:
Formulate a research questions regarding
health and health-related problems that may
be encountered in:
A. Rural community and the available health facilities.
B. Urban primary health care facility.
C. Primary schools.
11/26/2013
Dr. Tarek Tawfik