Introduction to Medical Research

Dr. Chandana Krishna

Associate Professor of Community medicine
Sri Lalithambigai medical college
Introduction

• What is research?
• A Scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a
specific topic.
• Or
• A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new
facts in any branch of knowledge.
• It is an academic activity.
Objectives of research

• To gain or achieve new insights (exploratory research)

• To describe accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a

group (descriptive research).

• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is

associated with something else (diagnostic research)

• To test the hypothesis of causal relationship between variables (Hypothesis testing

research).
Motivation in research

• To get masters degree

• To face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems

• To get intellectual joy of doing some creative work

• To get respectability/recognition

• To serve the society

 Medical research

Pure Applied
(Cellular level) (Problem oriented)

Primary Secondary
Surveys Operational research
Observational studies Evaluation of
Health systems
Experiments Economic evaluation
Trials Qualitative research
Research synthesis

5
Applied research

• It is problem oriented, and is specifically directed to solve the existing problem.

• It could be diagnostic, therapeutic, on agent-host-environmental interactions, or

health assessments.

• Applied research is classified in to two types:

• Primary research

• Secondary research
 Primary research

• It includes descriptive studies like • Experimental studies

• Surveys • Clinical trials

• Case series • Field trials

• Census • Community trials

• Analytical studies like

• Case control studies

• Cohort studies
Secondary research

• It includes

1. Operational research: Prioritization, Optimization, Simulation

2. Evaluation of health systems: Assessing quality and adequacy

3. Economic studies: Cost benefit analysis, Cost effective analysis

4. Qualitative research: Focus group discussion

5. Research synthesis: Reviews, Meta-analysis

Steps in medical research
 Steps for making a good medical research

1. Raising a question

2. Suggest hypothesis

3. Literature review

4. Literature evaluation

5. Ethical clearance

6. Acquire data

7. Data analysis

8. Data interpretation

9. Preparation of research report

Components of Synopsis

• Title

• Need for the study

• Review literature

• Aims and Objectives

• Materials and Methods

• References
 Components of a scientific paper

• Title • Discussion

• Abstract • Conclusion & recommendation

• Introduction • References

• Aim and Objectives

• Review of Literature

• Materials and Methods

• Results/observations
 1. Identify the problem

• First step in any research study is writing up of protocol/synopsis.

• Identify a problem area that needs further investigation.

• It is necessary to match research area in terms of

• Relevance

• Applicability

• Interest

• Expertise

• Feasibility – 3MT (Manpower, money, materials & time)

2. Collect and evaluate existing information

Collect as much information available on that problem by extensive literature search.

Sources of search includes standard books, journals, internet web search, institutional
visits & subject experts.
More emphasis on the last ten years
The objective of this exercise is to choose the area of research.
This will help to know what they have done, what they have not done & what we can
do further.
3. Title of the study
• After the selection of the topic, the title must be selected.

• Title should be
• Short
• Informative
• Concise
• With out any abbreviations
• Attractive
5. Introduction

• It should be brief and should not exceed more than 500 words.

• Precisely it should state –

• The nature and scope of the problem

• Rationale/need for the present study

6. Formulate Aims & objectives

• Aim & Objectives should be based on research hypothesis

• Aim should be broad based & based on the title of the study

• The results should fulfill the aims & objectives.

• The objectives must be amenable to evaluation, and should be realistic, clearly

phrased and stated in logical sequence.
6. Formulate Aims & objectives

• Objective should be
• S - Specific

• M – Measurable

• A – Attainable

• R – Realistic

• T - Time bound
• Eg: 1. To describe the socio-demographic characteristic of the study population.

• 2. To assess

• 3. To enumerate

• 4. To identify/find out
8. Material & methods

• It forms main item of the body which outlines the scientific approach includes

• Place of study

• Study design

• Study period

• S – Subjects

• A - Apparatus

• P – Procedures
8. Material & methods

• Subject: Sample size & techniques, Selection criteria: Inclusion & exclusion criteria

• Apparatus: It refers instruments used in the study such as Questionnaire (Pre

deigned & pre tested Open ended or close ended), spirometry, BP apparatus,
weighing machine etc.

• Procedures: It refers to the method of conducting study like data collection

procedures (observation, personal interview, Examination, telephone interview &
mailing of questionnaires) investigations done( both routine & special) will be
mentioned in detail.
8. Material & methods

• Study design: Cross sectional/longitudinal, Community/hospital based or

Descriptive/analytical/interventional.

• Statistical tests: Based on study requirement we may have to use descriptive or

inferential statistics.

• Ethical issues: Mention must be made of the clearance obtained from the college
level ethical committee.
9. Results/observations

• Prepare the master chart by tabulating the data in a manner all information on one
subject constitutes one record by using excel format.

• The results/observation should be in the order of objectives.

• Summarize the data: This is done in terms of mean, SD, proportion, rate, more
importantly in medicine in terms if sensitivity, specificity, Odd’s ratio and relative
risk. Formulate relevant tests to be applied with the help of tables.

• Wherever relevant use diagram, figure, chart, map & illustrations.

• Grind the data through various statistical analysis & apply appropriate statistical tests/
10. Discussion

• The outcome/findings of the present study may either similar or differs from the
earlier studies

• In discussion, we should compare findings of the present study with the findings
from the earlier studies and establishing inter & intra relationship among variables
and also discussing to why disagreed with other studies.

• The scope of future work/research is established from the present study, because,
in discussion it brings out most of the unanswered questions.
11. Limitations of the study

• Always make a note on limitation wherever necessary

12. Conclusion

• It is a essence of the study.

• It should contain take home massage of the present study.

13. Recommendations

• It should be given based on study results.

• It should give direction towards future plan of action.

14. References

• Referencing is a standardized method of acknowledging the sources of

information.

• Why do we need reference?

• to acknowledge the work of others and to avoid plagiarism

• to allow the reader to verify quotations and use your sources to find further information

• to enhance the credibility of your information

• To give credit to previous researchers

• To state the background of the study

• To let other people replicate your findings

14. References

• A list of references contains details only of those works cited in the text.

• Up to 6 authors then et. al.

• Avoid references dating back to longer than 10 years

• Type of publication
• Harvard system

• Vancouver system