OUTLINEPURPOSE OF RESEARCHNATURE OF RESEARCH TOPICCRITERIA FOR SELECTING RESEARCH

TOPICSTRATEGIES FOR IDENTIFYING A

RESEARCH TOPIC

Purpose of research

To answer a certain question

To solve an identified problem

Research TopicMight be:A phenomenon of interest

Example: Opinion of voters for presidential candidates

A problem

Research problemThere are countless problems within any systemBut not all problems require research for them to be solved; some just needs action

Potential research situation arises if three conditions exist (see next slide)

Conditions for a problem to be researchableA perceived discrepancy between

what is and what should be

Reasons for the discrepancy must be unclear

There should be more than one possible and plausible answer to the question or solution to the problem

Example 1Average attendance in Facility X has been

300 people per month. But last month’s statistics showed drop of attendance to 100.Discrepancy: drop of attendance from 300 to

100Problem Question: What are the reasons for

attendance drop?Answer: There was heavy rainfall last month

leading to damage of roads and disruption of transport

Example 2Leprosy patients are diagnosed late (with disability

grade 2 or above)Discrepancy: Late diagnosisProblem question: What factors contribute to late

delay in Leprosy diagnosis ?Possible answers:

Inadequate knowledge of early symptoms and signs of Leprosy among patients and service providers

Negative attitudes towards modern health careExistence of stigma about Leprosy in the

community

Criteria for selecting a research topicRelevancy (public health importance,

operational problem, etc)

Avoidance of duplication (how much information exist)

Feasibility (consider resources needed: Personnel, time, materials, finances)

Political acceptability (interest and support of authority)

Criteria for selecting a research topicApplicability of results and recommendations (blessing by authority and availability of resources for implementing the recommendation)

Urgency of data neededEthical acceptability (research

participants’ acceptability)

Strategies for Identifying a research topicObservation of events at work place (e.g.

Service provision)

Talking to people (community, service providers, managers, researchers)

Critical Reading (reports, articles)

Carrying an exploratory study

Nature of Topic Vs Type of research

Topic Type of research

Phenomenon of interest

Basic (fundamental) research

Problem Applied (operational) research