START YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT NOW

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START YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT NOW


Dr. ANKUR BARUA


MBBS, MD (Community Medicine), MBAIT, MBuddStud (Hong Kong)


Hong Kong, 2009
Background:
The author had graduated with distinction from the University of Hong Kong (MBuddStud, 2009). He had also completed two other Master Degrees, one from Sikkim Manipal University (MBAIT, 2007) while the other from Manipal University (MBBS-2000, MD in Community Medicine - 2003) and presently working in professional field.




First Publication on 26th October 2009
Sikkim Manipal University of Health Medical and Technological Sciences


Copyright © Ankur Barua



Address for communication:
Dr. ANKUR BARUA
Block – EE, No.-80, Flat No.-2A,
Salt Lake City, Sector-2,
Kolkata - 700091, West Bengal, INDIA.

Email: ankurbarua26@yahoo.com
Mobile: +91-9434485543 (India), +852-96195078 (Hong Kong)

Contents

Items Page No.
Acknowledgements 04
Preface 05
Framework of a Research Project
(a) Introduction, Objectives 06
(b) Review of Literature 07
(c) Materials and Methods 08
(d) Overview of Major Study Designs in Health Research 10
(e) Selection of an Appropriate Study Design 12
(f) Sample Size Estimation 13
(g) Sampling Procedure 15
(h) Study Instruments 17
(i) Organization of Field Work and Plan for Data Collection 17
(j) Study Variables 18
(k) Data Analysis 18


Basic Algorithms of Statistical Tests of Significance
(a) Parametric Tests 20
(b) Non-Parametric Tests 21

Summary Statistics for Continuous Variables 23
Normal Distribution Curve 24
Dummy Tables 24
Summary & Conclusions, Limitations, Recommendations, References 27
Annexure 28
Final Revision, Formatting and Preparation of the Research Project Report 29
Summary of Micro-Planning of Health Research Protocol / Report Presentation 30
Concluding Remarks by the Author 31

Acknowledgements



I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my beloved father Dr. Dipak Kumar Barua, who was the earlier Dean of the Faculty Council for Postgraduate Studies in Education, Journalism & Library Science in the University of Calcutta (1987-1991) and the Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (1996-1999) for his technical guidance and valuable advice throughout the compilation of this handbook.

I would also like to convey my sincere thanks to my mother Mrs. Dipa Barua and Ms. Mary Anne Basilio for their constant encouragement, keen interest and support throughout this project.


Preface


This book provides first-hand guidance and adequate information on publication in indexed journals. Due to paucity of space in most of the indexed journals, researchers are advised to be stringent with the use of language and make an attempt to express the maximum information by using optimum words in their research reports. This book is a simplified version and a ready guide on how to frame and conduct a health research, analyze the data and present the final report in an effective manner.






Ankur Barua



FRAMEWORK OF A RESEARCH PROJECT






1) INTRODUCTION

a) Problem Statement of Incidence / Prevalence:
 In World – with recent studies
 In India – with recent examples
 In Locality – with recent examples

b) Psycho–Socio–Demographic correlates identified by the WHO or any other renowned indexed journal.

c) Defending the need for study and how researchers as well as community can benefit from this study.





2) OBJECTIVES

a) Clear cut and well defined easily measurable quantitatively:
 Max 5 objectives but prefer to restrict the study within 3 objectives.

b) If ≥5 objectives are to be mentioned, then set an AIM by combining the statements and meanings of one or two main objectives. The objectives should address & clarify the following points –
 Define study design
 Define study population
 Define study area
 Study Period (not mandatory)
 Define main outcome variable (department variable)
 Define Risk factors / Psycho–Socio–Demographic correlates
 Define comparison groups
[* Please do remember that each objective mentioned here, has to be addressed independently in the results section]


3) REVIEW OF LITERATURE

a) Global Burden of Disease and DALYs lost due to the diseased condition under scrutiny

b) ICD–10 Disease Clarification for the disease to be studied

c) Case Definition according to ICD-10 and Operational Case Definition




d) Problem Statement in detail –

 Incidence or Prevalence of the disease in World
 Incidence or Prevalence of the disease in India
 Incidence or Prevalence of the disease in Locality



Give a table showing major studies conducted in the world and in India. Mention in chronological order of studies preferably from a Meta-analysis if available:

Sl. No. Name of Chief Investigator Study Period Study Area Sample
Size Incidence or Prevalence Rates Instrument / Diagnostic Criteria

EXAMPLE
Sl. No. CHIEF INVESTIGATOR/
FIRST AUTHOR YEAR STUDY AREA SAMPLE
SIZE PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
(%) INSTRUMENT/
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
1. Fuhrer 1992 France 2792 13.6 CES-D
2. Kua 1992 Singapore 612 5.7 GMS-AGECAT
3. Madianos 1992 Greece 251 27.1 CES-D
4. Henderson 1993 Australia 945 1.0 CIE
5. Ihara 1993 Japan 695 5.3 CES-D
6. Saunders 1993 UK 5222 10.0 GMS-AGECAT

e) Socio – demographic correlates – examples from previous studies conducted
f) Associated co-morbid conditions – examples from previous studies conducted
g) Defining other parameters needs to be measured from the study instruments other than outcome variable e.g., QOL, Wellbeing, Cognitive impairment.
h) Defining the age cut off for selection of study population



i) Any National Health Programme associated with the study outcome

 History of the National Health Programme associated with the disease
 Any National Health Policy associated with the disease
 Review & critical evaluation of the National Health Programme associated with the disease
 Goals set for control or eradication of the diseased condition in future / recent years
 Any suggestions / recommendations to improve the services under the national programme associated with the disease by renowned authors / researchers



j) Discussion on problems with field surveys in India –

 Sampling errors
 Case definition
 Classification of Disease (standard)
 Statistical Analysis
 Training of investigators





4) MATERIALS & METHODS

Materials & Methods should provide the following information:

a) BACKGROUND INFORMATION –

 Geographical location with map of India and local map of study area
 Numbers of Province / Districts / Taluks
 Total population of Province / Districts / Taluks
 Socio–cultural– demographical profile of the study population
 Health care providers in study area

b) STUDY PERIOD  Data collection time

c) SETTING  Study area

d) STUDY DESIGN  Choose the appropriate study design based on need of the study

e) STUDY POPULATION Sample size estimation

f) SAMPLING PROCEDURE done to avoid sampling error in selecting participants of the study


g) STUDY INSTRUMENTS 
 Acceptability, Validity & Reliability after Pre-testing or conducting a Pilot Study
 Translation, Back Translation & Re-Translation of study instruments


h) ORGANIZATION OF FIELD WORK AND PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION 
 Training of investigators & participating volunteers for data collection on how to collect un-biased information by interview technique or questionnaire method
 Mention the actual data collection procedure with sequence of administration of each questionnaire including time management
 Vocational / Medical / Financial benefits offered to the study subjects after providing valuable information on research topic


i) STUDY VARIABLES  provide a list of study variables in annexure


j) PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS  Mention the Statistical Software Package used & level of significance
SUMMARY OF MICRO-PLANNING OF HEALTH RESEARCH PROTOCOL / REPORT PRESENTATION



A. Title page: Title of research, Institution symbol, Name of principal author(s) & Date
B. Certificate from University duly signed by Guide & Co- Guide
C. Certificate from the respective department duly signed by Guide & Co- Guide
D. Certificate from HOD of the respective department

E. Acknowledgements:

 HOD of department undertaking the project
 Guide
 Co- Guide
 Others for significant contribution and moral support.
 Other department heads involved / staffs involved
 Participants of this study / research.


F. Structured Abstract (Brief report after completion of the project):

1) Title of the project
2) Name of all authors (surname first)
3) Name of Institute where the study is conducted
4) Introduction
5) Objectives
6) Materials & Methods
7) Results & Discussion
8) Summary & Conclusions (including implications for nursing care if applicable)
9) Limitations / Recommendations
10) Key words (3 to 5 in number)


G. Body of Contents of research project in details:

1) Introduction
2) Objectives
3) Review of Literature
4) Materials & Methods
5) Results & Discussion
6) Summary & Conclusions (including implications for nursing care if applicable)
7) Limitations & Recommendations
8) References
9) Annexure


Concluding Remarks by the Author



The objective of this handbook is to present the basic concepts of epidemiology and Biostatistics in an attempt to provide the reader with a practical application of the concepts. This book will help the reader to select appropriate methods and study designs to conduct a research and also to correctly analyze any database for information.