1.

Research is the systematic and rigorous process of enquiry which aims to describe
phenomena and to develop and test explanatory concepts and theories. Health research is an
important way to help improve the care and treatment of people worldwide. It also aims to find
better ways to prevent and treat disease. The term "health research," sometimes also called
"medical research" or "clinical research," refers to research that is done to learn more about
human health. Health research is the science and art of studying the distribution and determinants
of the health status of the people as influenced by social, economic and physical environments,
human biology, health policy, and services. The basic purpose of health research is to find out
new knowledge and technology to facilitate prioritizing, designing and evaluations of
interventions. It is the part of general “science and technology” research
The spectrum of health research is broad and includes:
 Biomedical research
 Public health research
 Health policy and systems research
 Environmental health research
 Social sciences and behavioral research etc.

Specific Objectives
 To have an in-depth working knowledge of one or more of the following:
epidemiological methodology, biostatistical principles, health information
systems, health policy, health services research, health behaviors, disease
prevention and health promotion.

 To provide knowledge of risks and harms associated with use including the
perceived severity of risks
 To improve attitudes toward treatment and support services including Needle and
Syringe Programs, peer education and awareness, attitudes and behaviour with
regards to harm reduction practices
 To impart knowledge regard to treatment and support options and barriers and
motivators to seeking treatment.
 To understand the key concepts in the responsible conduct of research and be able
to conduct research that conforms to the highest standards for the protection of
human research subjects.
 To be able to critically appraise the medical scientific literature, including the
methodology of published and proposed investigations.
 To be able to independently formulate a research question, as well as be able to
design and conduct a study to address that question.
 To be able to present and publish the results of one’s scholarly work.
 To identify a focus for future research and scholarly work, and to develop special
expertise in the corresponding clinical domain and/or research methods.
  To enhance clinical knowledge, skills and judgment in primary care ambulatory
practice, consultative medicine and hospital medicine.
 To be able to write a grant proposal according to the guidelines of the NIH or
other potential funding agencies

 to understand the conceptual, historical, and social structural underpinnings of

professional knowledge and practice in psychiatry, particularly with regard to
somatization, depression, dissociation and trauma-related disorders.

2. Social research refers to the study of individuals and societies and is often used to identify regularly
occurring social patterns in social life. It can be defined as the systematic understanding of social facts
or phenomena. It is used to gather information on the social world, in order to come up with a course
of action or simply to develop new knowledge. 

The objective of social research is to identify the cause-and-effect relationship between social
problems so that these problems can be solved to enhance societal welfare. This method of research is
employed by researchers and social scientists for many different reasons, some of which we will
explore in this article.

Social Research is a method used by social scientists and researchers to learn about people and
societies so that they can design products/services that cater to various needs of the people.
Social Research is conducted by following a systematic plan of action which
includes qualitative and quantitative observation methods.

Importance of Social Research

Source of Knowledge. Social research is an important source of knowledge. It opens new ways
of knowledge and wisdom. When something unknown brings to a researcher, there is a sort of
inner pleasure and happiness. It gives knowledge to the researcher about the unknown facts. It
paves out the way of ignorance and gives new direction in a social life.
Research in Informative. It provides updated, proved, authentic and very useful information to
the end users. Researchers and common people can take advantages from research. It is not only
informative. Its findings are scientific based therefore the results and information are reliable.
Social Cohesion and Unity. Social unity in a problematic area b/w two groups or castes is only
possible due to social research. Social research manifests the causes of these events and gives a
remedial solution to it. So, social researcher is the main factor for bringing social coherence and
unity in society.
Social Planning. If someone wants to develop and bring social growth and development in a
society, social planning will be developed which is the outcome of social research. In this
situation achieve the growth of society on right line is highly necessary. Social growth can
possible only when problems are solved.
Solution of Social Problems. Social research also helps in the solution of social problems it is the
research through which we can find the causative factors of an existing social problem and guide
us about his solution.
Structural Changes. Social research is responsible for bringing structural changes in a social life.
We bring social and cultural change in a social situation which is the outcome of social research.
Social Welfare. Social evils can be removed from society due to research. The process of social
welfare is possible due to the procedure of social research through which social evils can be
removed.
Social Prediction. Social research helps in making laws and the relation between social laws and
their factors. It helps to know the existence of causative factors and their magnitude and this
facilitates prediction of results.
Social Control. For smooth running of society social control is necessary. For this purpose we
apply social research to a society for bringing social order and control.
Social Growth. The growth and development in a society is possible for the improvement of
living standard and it is the main function of social research.
New Techniques. Social Research introduces new techniques and improves the old ones. It also
modifies the existing tools of research. It gives us the methods of knowing new ways for using
our research procedure.

Research is a part and parcel of economic and technological development of a country in order to
ensure better living standard for the people and sustainable development. Developing countries like
Bangladesh lag behind in research due mainly to financial constraints, followed by lack of appropriate
policy and political will. In addition, it is done by a single individual, but requires the
acceptance/approval of several others; guides, supervisors, defense committee members, interviewees,
focus group members, etc.

The major problems are discussed below-

1. The lack of a scientific training in the methodology of research is a great impediment

for researchers in our country. There is lack of competent researchers. Many researchers
take a leap in the dark without knowing research methods. Most of the work, which goes
in the name of research is not methodologically sound.
Before undertaking research projects, researchers should be well equipped
with all the methodological aspects. As such, efforts should be made to provide short duration
intensive courses for meeting this requirement.

2. There is insufficient interaction between the university research departments on one side
and business establishments, government departments and research institutions on the other side.
Efforts should be made to develop satisfactory liaison among all concerned for better and
realistic researches. There is need for developing some mechanisms of a university—industry
interaction programme so that academics can get ideas from practitioners on what needs to be
researched and practitioners can apply the research done by the academics.

3. Most of the business units in our country do not have the confidence that the material
supplied by them to researchers will not be misused and as such they are often reluctant in
supplying the needed information to researchers. The concept of secrecy seems to be
sacred to business organisations in the country so much so that it proves an impermeable
barrier to researchers. Thus, there is the need for generating the confidence that the
information/data obtained from a business unit will not be misused.
4. Research studies overlapping one another are undertaken quite often for want of
adequate information. This results in duplication and waste away resources. This problem
can be solved by proper compilation and revision, at regular intervals.

5. There does not exist a code of conduct for researchers and inter-university and
interdepartmental competition is also quite common. Hence, there is need for developing a code
of conduct for researchers which, if adhered sincerely, can win over this problem.

6. Many researchers in our country also face the difficulty of adequate and timely secretarial
assistance, including computerial assistance. This causes unnecessary delays in the completion of
research studies. All possible efforts be made in this direction so that efficient secretarial
assistance is made available to researchers and that too well in time. University Grants
Commission must play a dynamic role in solving this difficulty.

7. Library management and functioning is not satisfactory at many places and much of the time
and energy of researchers are spent in tracing out the books, journals, reports, etc., rather than in
tracing out relevant material from them.

8. There is also the problem that many of our libraries are not able to get copies of old and new
Acts/Rules, reports and other government publications in time. This problem is felt more in
libraries which are away in places from Delhi and/or the state capitals. Thus, efforts should be
made for the regular and speedy supply of all governmental publications to reach our libraries.

9. There is also the difficulty of timely availability of published data from various government
and other agencies doing this job in our country. Researcher also faces the problem on account of
the fact that the published data vary quite significantly because of differences in coverage by the
concerning agencies.

10. There may, at times, take place the problem of conceptualization and also problems relating
to the process of data collection and related things.
3.
6.

The emergence of a research culture in Bangladesh promoting rigorous research, developing

interventions, and translating evidence into policies made a substantial contribution to the
improvement of health outcomes in Bangladesh. Notably, the reduction of mortality from diarrhoea
and vaccine preventable diseases and control of fertility have made the most significant contributions
to recent health gains. From basic research projects to clinical trials, some institutions played a key
part in this progress.

Control of diarrhoea through use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is an example of rigorous research
developed at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B),1 and
implemented by BRAC, which took this discovery to every household through an innovative
programme. Bangladesh has now the highest ORT use rate in the world.

Important contributions of Bangladesh research shaping national programmes include projects on

neonatal tetanus immunisation,2 measles vaccination and child survival,3 and DOTS delivery for the
management of tuberculosis.4

Family planning is another important issue where the ICDDR,B has made substantial contributions.
Development of innovative models adopted nationally,5 made Bangladesh a successful example for
family planning and control of population growth. Several national surveys (such as Bangladesh
Fertility Survey, Contraceptive Prevalence Surveys, and Demographic and Health Surveys) helped
monitor progress of contraceptive prevalence and trigger actions for continuous improvement.
Research from ICDDR,B on the discrimination against women and girls6 helped draw attention of
policy makers and leaders to develop female-focused programmes, and thereby contributing to
improve health.7

Diarrhoea management and family planning are good examples of research which started by
identifying country's problems with consequence on health and overall development, solutions were
sought, solutions were found, and solutions were adopted in mainstream programmes.

The current continuing interactions between policy makers and researchers clearly suggest interest in
evidence-based policies. This is a huge shift from the 1980s when interactions were very limited and
at times confrontational. The establishment of the ICDDR,B and the provision of continued support to
the institution was a testimony to Bangladesh's commitment to research.

Research in Bangladesh has been limited to a few organisations. A search of articles published
between January, 2003, and August, 2013, showed that six organisations—ICDDR,B (1632
publications), BSMMU (194), BRAC (163), Bangladesh Institute of Research & Rehabilitation in
Diabetes (BIRDEM, 157), BRAC University (124), and University of Dhaka (118)—contributed 89%
of the publications.

International partners have played an important part in promoting research in the country and training
many local researchers. The creation of health research institutions such as Institute of Epidemiology,
Disease Control and Research, and National Institute of Population Research and Training is also
worth mentioning. Research done in the universities has been somewhat limited, unfortunately.

In our opinion home-grown evidence and its use in designing policies, strategies, and programmes is a
major contributor to health progress in Bangladesh so far.

The dynamic problem-solving focused research and the adoption and implementation of the solutions
found have been a unique Bangladesh feature that is usually not seen in countries of similar
socioeconomic development. However, the research capacity needs strengthening and increased
investment.

We hope that Bangladesh gives full attention to strengthening research capacity of the relevant
institutions, especially in the public sector, to exploit the full potential of the prevailing enabling
research culture to derive better health for its people

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the conduct of people and guides the norms or
standards of behaviour of people and relationships with each other. One plausible explanation of
these disagreements is that all people recognize some common ethical norms but interpret, apply,
and balance them in different ways in light of their own values and life experiences. For
example, two people could agree that murder is wrong but disagree about the morality of
abortion because they have different understandings of what it means to be a human being.

The following is a rough and general summary of some ethical principles of research-

Honesty
Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. Honestly report data, results, methods and

procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Do not deceive

colleagues, research sponsors, or the public.

Objectivity

Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review,

personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research where

objectivity is expected or required. Avoid or minimize bias or self-deception. Disclose personal

or financial interests that may affect research.

Integrity

Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and

action.

Carefulness

Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and the

work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities, such as data collection, research

design, and correspondence with agencies or journals.

Openness

Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.

Respect for Intellectual Property

Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use unpublished data,

methods, or results without permission. Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all

contributions to research. Never plagiarize.

Confidentiality

Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication,

personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

Responsible Publication

Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid

wasteful and duplicative publication.

Responsible Mentoring

Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them to make

their own decisions.

Respect for colleagues

Respect your colleagues and treat them fairly.

Social Responsibility

Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research, public

education, and advocacy.

Non-Discrimination

Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or other

factors not related to scientific competence and integrity.

Competence

Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise through lifelong

education and learning; take steps to promote competence in science as a whole.

Legality

Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.

Animal Care

Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct

unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.

Human Subjects Protection

When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and maximize benefits;

respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy; take special precautions with vulnerable

populations; and strive to distribute the benefits and burdens of research fairly

Example-

The research protocol for a study of a drug on hypertension requires the administration of the

drug at different doses to 50 laboratory mice, with chemical and behavioral tests to determine

toxic effects. Tom has almost finished the experiment for Dr. Q. He has only 5 mice left to test.

However, he really wants to finish his work in time to go to Florida on spring break with his

friends, who are leaving tonight. He has injected the drug in all 50 mice but has not completed all

of the tests. He therefore decides to extrapolate from the 45 completed results to produce the 5

additional results.

Many different research ethics policies would hold that Tom has acted unethically by fabricating

data. If this study were sponsored by a federal agency, such as the NIH, his actions would

constitute a form of research misconduct, which the government defines as "fabrication,

falsification, or plagiarism" (or FFP).