This presentation is based on the following publications:
Ratan SK, Anand T, Ratan J. Formulation of Research Question - Stepwise Approach. J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg. 2019;24(1):15-20. doi:10.4103/jiaps.JIAPS_76_18
Fandino W. Formulating a good research question: Pearls and pitfalls. Indian J Anaesth. 2019;63(8):611-616. doi:10.4103/ija.IJA_198_19
WHO: A practical guide for health researchers (2004)
5. Feasible
- Availability of adequate funding
- Availability of adequate expertise to be trained in
newer techniques (Institution/ People)
- Availability of infrastructure (Lab/ patients)
- Institutional support (Being able to perform other
duties)
- Personal circumstances (Travel etc)
6. Interesting
-Engages the interest of all investigators involved
-Attracts the attention of readers / researchers/ colleagues
-Presents a different perspective of the problem
Novel
-Provides different / new findings
-Generates new hypotheses
-Improves methodological flaws of existing studies
-Resolves a gap in the existing literature
7. Ethical
- Complies with local ethical committees
- Safeguards the main principles of ethical research
- Guarantees safety and reversibility of side effects, if any
Relevant
- Generates new knowledge
- Contributes to improve current practices in the field
- Stimulates further research
- Assures an accurate answer
9. A good question
Details the problem statement
Further describes and refines the issue under study
Adds focus to the problem statement
Guides data collection and analysis
Sets context of research
10. PICOT (For clinical studies)
(P) Population refers to the sample of subjects you wish to recruit for
your study.
(I) Intervention refers to the treatment that will be provided to subjects
enrolled in your study.
(C) Comparison identifies what you plan on using as a reference group to
compare with your treatment intervention.
(O) Outcome represents what result you plan on measuring to examine
the effectiveness of your intervention.
(T) Time describes the duration for your data collection.
12. Existence:
Are BAMS graduates adequately skilled to handle primary
healthcare?
Does a particular species of plant exist in Himalayas?
Description and classification:
Funding pattern of different state governments for AYUSH
research
Types of past research work in Panchakarma
13. Composition:
Types of patients visiting Ayurveda hospitals
Prescription pattern of different Ayurveda doctors
Chemical analysis of a Bhasma
Chemo-profiling of a compound formulation
14. Relationship:
Is funding associated with the quality of a clinical trial?
Is physical activity associated with academic excellence?
Is economic background associated with self-esteem?
15. Descriptive—comparative:
Are rural BAMS doctors more likely to prescribe allopathy
urban doctors?
Is the research output better in government funded
institutions than private ones?
Is Panchakarma commonly prescribed to wealthy patients
than to poor?
16. Causality:
Is Vamana effective in controlling the severity of symptoms
of Tamaka Shvasa?
Causality—comparative:
Is Simhanada Guggulu more effective in RA in comparison
to Standard of Care?
Causality–Comparative interactions:
Is Vamana coupled with Virechana more effective in
Sthaulya than coupled with Kashaya Basti?
17. How to develop a research question?
Begin by identifying a broader subject of interest
Do preliminary research on the general topic to find out what research
has already been done and what literature already exists. Therefore, one
should begin with “information gaps” (What do you already know about
the problem?)
What do you still need to know?
What are the implied questions:
The need to know about a problem will lead to few implied questions.
Each general question should lead to more specific questions
Narrow the scope and focus of research
18. Is RQ clear?
With so much research available on any given topic, RQs must be as clear as
in order to be effective in helping the writer direct his or her research
Is the RQ focused?
RQs must be specific enough to be well covered in the space available
Is the RQ complex enough?
RQs should not be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no” or by easily found facts.
They should, instead, require both research and analysis on the part of the writer
19. Is the RQ one that is of interest to the researcher and potentially useful to
others?
Is it a new issue or problem that needs to be solved or is it attempting to shed light on
previously researched topic
Is the RQ researchable?
Consider the available time frame and the required resources. Is the methodology to
conduct the research feasible?
Is the RQ measurable and will the process produce data that can be
supported or contradicted?
Is the RQ too broad or too narrow?
20. Brainstorm/Concept map for
formulating research question
First, identify what types of studies have been done in the past?
Is there a unique area that is yet to be investigated or is there a particular
question that may be worth replicating?
Begin to narrow the topic by asking open-ended “how” and “why” questions
Evaluate the question
Develop a Hypothesis (Hs)
Write down the RQ.
21. Writing down the research question
State the question in your own words
Write down the RQ as completely as possible.
Divide your question into concepts. Narrow to two or three
concepts
Specify the population to be studied
Refer to the exposure or intervention to be investigated, if
any
Reflect the outcome of interest
22. Observational
Vs
Experimental
Observational study (Descriptive/
Associational RQ)
The investigators stand apart from
events taking place in the study.
They simply observe and record.
Experimental or intervention study (Causal
RQ)
The investigators introduce an
intervention and observe the events
which take place in the study.
23. References
Ratan SK, Anand T, Ratan J. Formulation of Research Question -
Stepwise Approach. J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg. 2019;24(1):15-20.
doi:10.4103/jiaps.JIAPS_76_18
Fandino W. Formulating a good research question: Pearls and
pitfalls. Indian J Anaesth. 2019;63(8):611-616. doi:10.4103/ija.IJA_198_19
WHO: A practical guide for health researchers (2004)