Research Methodology
AMANUEL F. (BSc, MPH)
HARAR HEALTH SCIENCE COLLEGE
TOPIC SELECTION
Objective
After Completing this chapter the students is able to:
Identify and prioritize problems for research
Describe the principles underlying whether a problem
situation is researchable.
List the criteria for selecting a research topic
Select topic (health problem) for research based on
certain guidelines.
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Introduction
Formulation of the research proposal is the major task in the
process of developing a research project. But before developing
research proposal these question must be answered.
Is there evidence to indicate that the research proposal focuses on a
problem of priority importance?
Was the given health problem identified by relevant groups of
the health system?
Was the problem adequately analyzed to include all possible
contributory factors from different sectors?
Was it clearly stated? 4
Introduction…
The first step in designing any research study is deciding
what to study (identify study problem).
A problem is a perceived difficulty, a feeling of discomfort
about the way things are, or a discrepancy between what
someone believes should be the situation and what the
situation is in reality.
While problems are the initiating force behind research, not
all problems require research.
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Problem identification
Topics eligible for research: Whether a problem situation
requires research depends on three conditions:
1. There should be a perceived difference of discrepancy
between what exists and what it should be.
2. The reason(s) for this difference should be unclear (so
that it makes sense to develop a research question); and
3. There should be more than one possible answer to the
question or solution to the problem.
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Problem identification…
Example1:
Problem situation: In district “Y “a report showed that in
the first month there were 500 children under one-year-old
who started immunization, but at the end of the year it was
found out that there were only 25 children who completed
their vaccination.
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Problem identification…
Discrepancy: All the 500 children at district “Y “should have
completed their vaccination but only 5% out of those who started
vaccination have completed.
Problem (research) question: why only 5% of the children
completed their vaccination?
Definite answer: Out of the 1 hospital, 2 health centers and 10
health stations found in district “Y” only 2 health stations were
functioning, the rest were closed due to insecurity in the area.
In the above example, assuming that all the given facts are true,
there is no need of undertaking a research, since definite answer
is obtained to the problem situation.
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Problem identification…
Example 2:
Problem situation: In district “Z” (population 150,000) there
are 2 health centers, 1 hospital and 15 health stations and all of
them function smoothly. However, at the end of the year it was
found that the EPI coverage was only 25%.
Discrepancy: Although district “Z” had 100% availability of
health services and at least 80% of the children should have
had full vaccinations the EPI coverage was only 25% as seen
above. 9
Problem identification…
Problem question: What factors influence the low EPI
coverage in district “Z”?
Possible answers:
Mothers might have problems for not attending in the EPI sessions.
The MCH, EPI, OPD, CDD, etc… programs might not have been
integrated; hence children might have missed opportunities in
getting immunization.
The follow up of defaulting children might not be effective and other
reasons.
Thus, the above problem situation is researchable. 10
Selecting Research Topic
A Research topic is identified from the research problem.
There are five basic sources that help to select a topic:
1. Professional experience
2. Societal trends
3. Professional trends
4. Research findings
5. Existing theory
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Steps in selecting research Topic
i. Decide on a general area of interest
ii. Initially the problem may be stated in a broad way
iii. Discuss your ideas with others/supervisors, colleagues
or with those having some `in the matter
iv. Examine all available literature to get acquainted with
the selected problem
v. Select a topic using selection criteria
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Criteria for selecting a research topic
1. Relevance
2. Avoidance of duplication
3. Feasibility
4. Political acceptability
5. Applicability
6. Urgency of data needed
7. Ethical acceptability
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Criteria for selecting a research topic…
1. Relevance
The topic should be a priority problem
Magnitude: How large or wide spread the problem is?
Who is affected?
Severity: How severe is the problem?
Scales
1 = Not relevant
2 = Relevant
3 = Very relevant 14
Criteria for selecting a research topic…
2. Avoidance of duplication
It is whether the suggested topic has been investigated
before, either within the proposed study area or in another
area with similar conditions.
If there is duplication of your research justify the study or
drop the topic.
Scales
1 = Sufficient information already available
2 = Some information available but major issues not covered
3 = No sound information available on which to base problem-solving15
Criteria for selecting a research topic…
3. Feasibility
Consider the complexity of the problem and the resources
you will require for carrying out.
Thought should be given first to Manpower, time,
equipment and money that are locally available to conduct
the study
Scales:
1 = Not feasible
2 = Feasible
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3 = Very feasible
Criteria for selecting a research topic…
4. Political acceptability
It needs to has the interest and support of local/ national
authorities.
This will increase the chance that the results of the study
will be implemented.
Scales
1 = Topic not acceptable to policy makers
2 = Topic somewhat acceptable
3 = Topic fully acceptable
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Criteria for selecting a research topic…
5. Applicability
Is it likely that the results/recommendations from the study will
be applied?
This will also the availability of resources for implementing the
recommendations.
Likewise, the potential clients and of responsible staff will
influence the implementation of recommendations.
Scales
1 = No chance of recommendations being implemented
2 = Some chance of recommendations being implemented
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3 = Good chance of recommendations being implemented
Criteria for selecting a research topic…
6. Urgency of data needed
Timeliness
How urgently are the results needed for making a
decision or developing interventions at various levels (from
community to policy)?
Scales
1 = Information not urgently needed
2 = Information could be used but a delay of some months would be
acceptable
3 = Data very urgently needed for decision-making 19
Criteria for selecting a research topic…
7. Ethical acceptability
Possibility of inflicting harm on others
Physical & psychological harm, cultural sensitivity
Willingness of the study population to participate in the
study/can informed consent be obtained?
Scales
1 = Major ethical problems
2 = Minor ethical problems
3 = No ethical problems
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Rating Sheet
Criteria for selection Proposed research topic
I II III
Relevance
Avoidance of duplication
Feasibility
Political acceptability
Applicability
Urgency of data needed
Ethical acceptability
Total
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Group Assignment
Identify three health problems at your
area. Discuss about these health
problems and explain if the identified
problems are researchable.
Prioritize the researchable problems
you identified based on the selection
criteria.
Select one research topic from the
identified health problem 22
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