Overview of Research Methodology Dr. Gift Norman Head, Community Health & Family Medicine

What is Research? Research is ‘systematic scientific enquiry to validate and refine existing knowledge and generate new knowledge’ Investigation that is carried out in an organized and systematic way of finding answers to questions It produces information called data which when analyzed tells us things that helps us understand things that we did not know or were not sure before It’s a sharing and learning process Research guides practice `

Steps Idea generation Protocol preparation Data collection Analysis Report writing - Thesis

What needs to be sent to NBE Protocol Informed consent Scientific Committee approval letter Ethics Committee approval letter

Dates worth to remember Protocol – 3 months after joining Final thesis – 6 months before exam You have to have focused plan to keep these dates… its not easy!! Forgetting these dates can be very expensive!!

General guidelines-1 All the candidates should strictly adhere to the research protocol template The font should be Arial/ Times New Roman, size 12 and in sentence case The font should not be in bold or in italics The text should be justified

General guidelines-2 Please mention your guide with designation Please mention your name and DNB registration number The references should be written as super script The order should be preserved

Research Protocol sections Title Introduction & justification Research question / Hypothesis Objectives Literature Review Materials & Methods Ethics Budget References Annexure

Thesis – An inevitable evil

But you can make it a pleasant experience

Introduction Thesis is a requirement by the board Earlier they were more liberal Most students submitted after theory exams Acceptable by NBE

Current scenario DNB Board stricter now Emphasis on quality Detailed evaluation of protocol, statistical methods, informed consent, the outcome variables you are interested in etc. etc.

Change in scenario The protocol submitted within 3months of joining The protocol is sent to a review panel by the National Board Some disqualified/ rejected: many needed clarifications

NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINATIONS FORMAT FOR ASSESSMENT OF DNB THESIS CONFIDENTIAL NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINATIONS FORMAT FOR ASSESSMENT OF DNB THESIS IDENTIFICATION DATA Name of Specialty: Family Medicine 2. Title of Thesis : A prospective study of Iron Deficiency Anemia in males above 14 years of age in a tertiary care hospital 3. Name of candidate 4. Code Number:

REMARKS OF THE ASSESSOR Please give your remarks on the thesis under the following sub heads. In case of modifications, please indicate the specific modifications desire and suggestions for the candidate. INTRODUCTION AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY REVIEW OF LITERATURE: MATERIAL & METHODS STUDY AREA STUDY POPULATION SAMPLE SIZE & SAMPLE TECHNIQUE 4. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE AND TOOLS 5. DATA ANALYSIS   6. RESULTS 7. DISCUSSION 8. CONCLUSION 9. REFERENCES/BIBILIOGRAPHY 10. ANNEXURE

Rejections to Zero Avoid rejections, disapprovals and clarifications Produce work of good standard.

Quality

The primary responsibility of the thesis is on You Ownership The primary responsibility of the thesis is on You Your Guide and your HOD

The metamorphosis of your protocol

The process Steps 1 Idea generation at dept level 2 Brainstorming session – You / Guide / HOD 3 Writing protocol as per the guidelines…to be completed by 3rd. month 4 Submitting it on time 5 SC presentation 6 Modifying as per SC suggestions / signed by guide and HOD 7 EC presentation 8. Sending it to National Board 9 Implementation and completion / Data Analysis 10 Progress report Submission on time

Data collection Primary responsibility is yours Keep your guide and the HOD informed Any deviation from the protocol should be discussed with your guide and the HOD

Data collection Randomization and implementation should be strictly followed to ensure the quality of research 6 monthly progress report should be presented to the guide

Finish line Once the thesis is finished, a hard copy as well as a soft copy of your thesis and master chart should be submitted At least one paper should be published, from your thesis.