Mother and Child Health: Research Methods G.J.Ebrahim Editor Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, Oxford University Press.

Five factors in Research Planning Research Question being addressed Subjects for the research Type of data to be collected Methods of data analysis Reporting of the Results

Sources of Research Question Hypotheses logically derived from existing theories Hypotheses suggested by clinical observations and insight Questions arising from previous research Evaluation of new treatments

Problems Related to Research Questions Too vague Too Broad Not enough subjects available Methods beyond the skills of the investigator Too expensive Not relevant Not sufficiently novel Uncertain about ethical issues

Descriptive/Analytical Studies Descriptive Studies Focus on describing the geographic, social, demographic and clinical attributes of target population Analytical Studies One or more groups are studied to draw inference about differences and associations

Non-experimental / Experimental Studies Non-experimental Studies Definition of Population Selection of subjects Observation Experimental Studies Definition of Population Selection of Subjects Assignment Observation of Outcome Group 1 Group 2

Checklist for Planning Studies Reasons for the Study background contribution to existing knowledge General Plan Study design, sample, data collection, and analysis Detailed Design Sources of Bias sampling method,information variation,measurement error, assessment method. Handling of Specimens Analysis Reporting