The document discusses various types of research studies and common problems in research reporting. It describes basic and applied research, as well as animal studies, case studies, clinical trials, correlational studies, cross-sectional surveys, epidemiological studies, experimental studies, literature reviews, longitudinal studies, meta-analyses, and problems that can occur in writing research proposals and reports. Common issues include plagiarism, poor formatting, weak structure of sentences, and improperly organizing the different sections of a research report.
3. Types of Research Studies
Research can be classified into two
categories:
Basic research, which is done in a lab or
a clinical setting and
Applied research, which is done with
real subjects in real-world situations.
4. Animal Study
An animal or in vivo study is a study in
which animals are used as subjects. A
common use of an animal study is with
a clinical trial (see below) and as a
precursor to evaluating a medical
intervention on humans. However, it is
critical to recognize that results from
animal studies should not be
extrapolated to draw conclusions on
what WILL happen in humans.
5. Case Study
A case study provides significant and
detailed information about a single
participant or a small group of
participants. ”Case studies are often
referred to interchangeably with
ethnography, field study, and participant
observation.” Unlike other studies which
rely heavily on statistical analysis, the
case study is often undertaken to identify
areas for additional research and
exploration.
6. Clinical Trial Study
A clinical trial study is often used in the areas of
health and medical treatments that will presumably
yield a positive effect. Typically a small group of
people or animals are selected based upon the
presence of a specific medical condition. This
group is used to evaluate the effectiveness of a new
medication or treatment, differing dosages, new
applications of existing treatments. Due to the risk
involved with many new medical treatments, the
initial subjects in a clinical trial may be animals and
not humans. After positive outcomes are obtained,
research then can proceed to a human study where
the treatment is compared against results from the
existing standard of care.
7. Correlational
Study
Correlation studies evaluate the
relationship between variables and
determine if there is a positive
correlation, a negative correlation, or
no correlation. Please note, a positive
correlation does not mean one thing
causes another. Correlation studies
are typically used in naturalistic
observations, surveys, and with
archival research.
8. Cross-sectional Survey
Also know as the synchronic
study, a cross-sectional survey
collects data at a single point in
time but the questions asked of a
participant may be about current
and past experiences. They are
often done to evaluate some
aspect of public health policy.
9. Epidemiological Study
Epidemiological studies evaluate the factors
and associations linked to diseases. Types of
epidemiological studies include case series
studies, case control studies, cohort studies,
longitudinal studies, and outbreak
investigations. Epidemiological studies are often
beneficial in identifying areas for a more
control research evaluation; however all to
often, readers of epidemiological research mis-
categorize links and associations as causes. In
addition, a common problem with
epidemiological studies is that they rely on
memory recall which can be quite unreliable.
10. Experimental Study
In an experimental study, specific treatments are
applied to a sample or group and the results are
observed. It is otherwise called as True Research
Eg. Testing methods (use TV in classroom)
Eg. Testing methods (invented a new phenomena)
Eg. Testing methods (Is confidence develop from a
Soap?)
11. Literature & Content
Analysis Review Study
A literature review is an
exhaustive search of all of the
relevant literature related to a
specific research topic.
Content analysis deals with the
Wrapper to Wrapper style, font,
colour, binding, way of approach
etc..,
12. Longitudinal Study
A specific type of epidemiological
study, the longitudinal study follows
subjects over a long period of time,
asking a specific research question
with repeated samples of data
gathered across the duration of the
study. These studies are often used
as the basis for specific
experimental studies. For example,
the Heart Study
13. Meta-analysis
A meta-analysis is a statistical
process in which the results of
multiple studies evaluating a
similar research objective are
collected and pooled together.
They are often used to
determine the effectiveness of
healthcare interventions and
experiments
15. INTRODUCTION
- Statement of the problem
- Objective(s) of the research
- Statement of the research question(s)
- Statement of the hypotheses
- Research background/context
LITERATURE REVIEW
- Orientation: comprehensive or selective?
» Have a plan; outline it
» Set the context of your research
» Show relateness to your research
» Review key points in your words; quote little
» Summarize to conclude this mini-essay
PLAN OF RESEARCH
- Study/experimental design
- Selection of cases/participants (sampling)
- Setting
- Data collection procedures and instruments
- Data analysis
- Outline or detailed description?
PRESENTATION OF DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS
- "A picture is worth…"
INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE
DATA (FINDINGS; WHAT IT ALL MEANS)
CONCLUSION
» Summary of the report
» Limitations of the study
» Future research needs
16. Eg. A Research Title
Common Mistakes and Problems in Research
Proposal Writing
An Assessment of Proposals for Research
Grants Submitted to Research on Poverty
Alleviation REPOA (Tanzania)
Martha A. S. Qorro
17. During the writing stage (Remove)
Plagiarism
Paraphrasing
Quotations
Plagiarism means using the ideas of
someone else such as an author, critic,
journalist, artist, composer, lecturer,
or another student without giving them
proper credit.
18. Format for Thesis
Paper size and quality
Font
Textwidth
Linespacing
Paragraphs
Margins
Headings
Figures and Tables
Sequencing and Page numbers
One Side vs. Two Side Printing
19. Structure of sentences
Simple sentences
Compound sentences
Length of sentences
Match of tense and person
Punctuation
Some Thumb Rules
20. REPORT
Organizing the report
Introduction
Theory and background
Experimental methods
Solution procedure
Results & Discussion
Conclusions & Suggestions
References or Literature cited
Nomenclature, Photos, Evidences
Appendix-A, B,C,D, E…
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33. E-journals – Types
Print and online - Combines print
subscription with site-wide online
access to the title
Online only – This entitles the customer
to receive site wide online access only
Print only – The customer receives a
print copy of each issue of the title for
the calendar year