Definition of health research

• Research is a scientific inquiry aimed at learning new facts,

testing ideas, etc.

• It is the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of

data to generate new knowledge and answer a certain
question or solve a problem
 Characteristics of research

• It demands a clear statement of the problem

• It requires a plan (it is not aimlessly “ looking” for something in
the hope that you will come across a solution)
• It builds on existing data, using both positive and negative
findings
• New data should be collected as required and be organized in
such a way that they answer the research question(s)
 Types of research
• Research covers topics in every field of science and perceptions of its scope and
activities are unlimited.
• Classical broad divisions are:
1. Basic and applied research
• Basic research—it is necessary to generate new knowledge and technologies to
deal with major unresolved health problems.
• Applied research-- necessary to identify priority problems and to design and
evaluate policies and programs that will deliver the greatest health benefit,
making optimal use of available resources.

2. Quantitative and Qualitative research

• Quantitative research—is concerned with investigating things that can be
observed and measured in some way.
• Involves observations and measurements that are objective and repeated by
other researchers .
• Originated in the natural sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology etc.
• Answers questions about: how much? How many? How often? To what extent?
etc.
 Types of research

2. Quantitative and Qualitative research

• Qualitative research-- is concerned with developing
explanations of social phenomena. That is to say, it aims to
help us to understand the world in which we live and why
things are the way they are.
• It is concerned with the social aspects of our world and seeks
to answer questions about:
• Why people behave the way they do
• How opinions and attitudes are formed
• How people are affected by the events that go on around them
• How and why cultures have developed in the way they have
• Answers questions about: why? How? In what way?
• Originates social sciences: psychology, sociology, anthropology
etc.
 Problem identification
• Whether a problem requires research depends on 3 conditions:
i. There should be a perceived difference or discrepancy between
what it is and what it should be;
ii. The reason(s) for this difference should be unclear (so that it makes
sense to develop a research question); and
iii. There should be more than one possible and plausible answer to
the question (or solution to the problem).

• Example 1:
• 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.

• What is the discrepancy?

 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.
 Problem identification
• Assuming that all the given facts are true (above), there is no
need of undertaking a research, since definite answer is obtained
to the problem situation.

• 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%.

• What is the discrepancy?

 Problem identification
• 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.

• Are reasons for this difference should be unclear?

 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… programmes 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.

• Is the problem researchable?

 Problem identification: Assignment 1 (Group 1)
• In a certain district (population, 150,000), sanitary conditions are
very poor (only 5% of households have latrines) and diseases
connected with poor sanitation, such as, gastroenteritis and
worms are very common. The Ministry of Health has initiated a
sanitation project that aims at increasing the number of
households with latrines by 20% each year. The project provides
materials and the population should provide labor. Two years
later, less than half of the target has been reached.
• State the discrepancy, research question and the possible
answers.
• Is this problem situation researchable?
 Criteria for prioritizing problems for research
i) Relevance- The topic chosen should be a priority problem—how large or
widespread is the problem? Who is affected? How severe is the problem?
ii) Avoidance of duplication-investigate whether the topic has been
researched. Were there unanswered questions
iii) Feasibility- Consider the complexity of the problem and the resources
required to carry out the study. Personnel, time equipment etc
iv) Political acceptability- It is advisable to research a topic that has the
interest and support of the authorities.
v) Applicability of possible results and recommendations-Availability of
resources for implementing the recommendations
vi) Urgency of data needed--How urgently are the results needed for
making a decision? Which research should be done first and which can be
done late?
vii) Ethical acceptability—others should not harmed when carrying out the
research
 Rating problem
• Relevance- 1=not relevant, 2=relevant, 3=very relevant
• Avoidance of duplication
1 = Sufficient information already available
2 = Some information available but major issues not covered
3 = No sound information available on which to base problem-solving
• Feasibility
1 = Study not feasible considering available resources
2 = Study feasible considering available resources
3 = Study very feasible considering available resources
Political acceptability
1 = Topic not acceptable
2 = Topic somewhat acceptable
3 = Topic fully acceptable
Applicability
1 = No chance of recommendations being implemented
2 = Some chance of recommendations being implemented
3 = Good chance of recommendations being implemented
 Rating problem
Political acceptability
1 = Topic not acceptable
2 = Topic somewhat acceptable
3 = Topic fully acceptable
Urgency
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
Ethical acceptability
1 = Major ethical problems
2 = Minor ethical problems
3 = No ethical problems

N.B. The above rating should be based on the existing data and not
on mere assumptions.
 Problem identification: assignment 2 (group 2)
Criteria Health Health Health
problem 1 problem 2 problem 3
Relevance
Avoidance of duplication
Feasibility
Political acceptability
Applicability
Urgency of data needed
Ethical acceptability
Total

Health problem 1 :

Health problem 2 :

Health problem 2 :
 Statement of the problem
• Why is it important to state and define the problem well?
• Because a clear statement of the problem:
• Is the foundation for the further development of the research proposal
(research objectives, methodology, work plan, etc);
• Makes it easier to find information and reports of similar studies from
which your own study design can benefit;
• Enables the researcher to systematically point out why the proposed
research on the problem should be undertaken and what you hope to
achieve with the study results.
 Statement of the problem
• Points that need to be considered for justifying the selected
research problem
• A health problem selected to be studied has to be justified in
terms of its:
• Being a current and existing problem which needs solution
• Being a widely spread problem affecting a target population
• Effects on the health service programmes
• Being a problem which concerns the planners, policy makers and the
communities at large.
 Statement of the problem
• Information included in the statement of a problem
• A brief description of socioeconomic and cultural characteristics and an
overview of health status.
• A more detailed description of the nature of the problem i.e. basic
description of the research problem, the discrepancy between what is and
what should be and its size, distribution, and severity (who is affected,
where, since when, etc.)
• An analysis of the major factors that may influence the problem and a
convincing argument that available knowledge is insufficient to answer a
certain question and to update the previous knowledge.
• A brief description of any solutions that have been tried in the past how
well they have worked, and why further research is needed.
• A description of the type of information expected to result from the
project and how this information will be used to help solve the problem
• If necessary, a short list of definitions of crucial concepts used in the
statement of the problem.