IHS 4504 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Oral Cancer, Literature Review, Problem Solving
Chapter 1: Introduction to Research
What is research?
- Research is not limited to any one profession or discipline.
- Research is used by entities ranging from pharmaceutical companies to basketball
coaches.
- However, the research process used to conduct these studies is similar.
- Researh is a systeati, otrolled, epirial, a oral, puli ad ritial
iestigatio. – Kerlinger and Lee
- Multiple, systeati strategies to geerate koledge aout hua ehavior, human
experience, and human environment in which the thinking and action processes of the
researcher are clearly specified so that they are logical, understandable, confirmable,
ad useful- DePoy and Gitlin
Others definition of research
- A ay to gather information and make a sound decision or judgement or develop new
koledge – Berlin and Latin
- A proess through hih e koledge is disoered -Salkind
- A systeati iestigatio iolig the aalysis of olleted iforatio or data that
ultimately is used to enhance health education knowledge or practice and answers one
or more questions about a health-related theory ehaior or pheoeo Health
Education research- McMillan and Wergin
Approaches to research
- Quantitative research (deals with numbers)
o Positivist, experimental or empiricist approach to research
o Steps:
▪ Stating the problem
▪ Stating testable hypothesis
▪ Designing a study to test the hypotheses
▪ Conducting the study
▪ Analyzing the data using appropriate statistical tests
▪ Identifying new questions
o E.g.. Measuring body fat pre and post diet program in a group that underwent a
diet program and comparing it with the body fat in a second group with no diet
changes.
- Qualitative research (words)
o Interpretative, constructivist, post positivist and naturalistic approach to
research
o Designed to answer questions about the complex nature of phenomena with the
purpose of describing, explaining and understanding the phenomena
o Researcher records words and phrases looking for meaning, concepts or theory.
o E.g. study done to find out why people want to lose weight.
- Mixed methods research: when both quantitative data provide a better, more though
understanding of the research question being studied.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Research is not limited to any one profession or discipline. Research is used by entities ranging from pharmaceutical companies to basketball coaches. However, the research process used to conduct these studies is similar. Resear(cid:272)h is a (cid:862)syste(cid:373)ati(cid:272), (cid:272)o(cid:374)trolled, e(cid:373)piri(cid:272)al, a (cid:373)oral, pu(cid:271)li(cid:272) a(cid:374)d (cid:272)riti(cid:272)al i(cid:374)(cid:448)estigatio(cid:374)(cid:863). Quantitative research (deals with numbers: positivist, experimental or empiricist approach to research, steps, stating the problem, stating testable hypothesis, designing a study to test the hypotheses, conducting the study, analyzing the data using appropriate statistical tests. Measuring body fat pre and post diet program in a group that underwent a diet program and comparing it with the body fat in a second group with no diet changes. Collaborative approach to research that combines methods of inquiry with community capacity building strategies to bridge the gap between knowledge produced through research and what is practiced in communities to improve health. Working with community stakeholders to plan and conduct research resulting in action plans for community improvement.