Has been broadly defined as the generation of new knowledge using the scientific method to identify and deal with health problems.

 Or it is defined as a method of obtaining systemic knowledge which can be used for the improvement the health of the individuals or groups.

Types of the health research

1.Essential health research : this may include A.Defining health problems B.Measure their importance C.To assure the quality of dealing with them Mainly this type of research covers health system types of research. It is deal with population sciences: these include epidemiology, demography and the sociobehavioural sciences. It is include health policy research, health systems research and health services research.This type of research may cover a scope which may differ according to the country need e.g. one may look into the efficacy of vaccination of communicable diseases.

2.Clinical research : this may cover prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation aspects. 3.Biomedical research: and this is the basic part of health research, it is expensive but are of universal importance.

Steps in Research Process

 Step I: Formulate the Research Idea/Problem. This can emanate from:  the researcher’s interest/experience/observation;  the researcher’s ongoing work;  matters arising from the work of others.  Step II: Conduct a Literature Review: Go through libraries and other resource centers (including electronic ones) and review work already done in the area under investigation.

 Step III: Developing the objectives  Step IV: Formulate Research Questions, Objectives and Hypotheses as appropriate.  Step V: Collecting of Data.  Step VI: Analysis of Data.  Step VII: Generalization and Interpretation  Step VIII: Draw Appropriate Conclusion(s).  Step IX: Write the Research Report.

Every research study has two aspects: 1. Study population- People: individuals, organizations, groups, communities ( they provide you with the information or you collect information about them) 2. Subject area- Problems: issues, situations, associations, needs, profiles Program : content, structure, outcomes, attributes, satisfactions, consumers, Service providers, etc. Phenomenon: cause-and-effect relationships, the study of a phenomenon itself

1.Searching the medical literature. By  read the medical literature, including reviews which outline gaps in research  attend scientific meetings  teach—questions asked by students can often give ideas for research  be a team player—ideas can come from colleagues or mentors, in the same or different disciplines  acquaint herself/himself with the lines of interest of funding research organizations  develop specific areas of scientific interest—it is a good idea to be an expert in a small field.  get new ideas out of her/his own previous research. Where do research ideas come from?

2.New initiatives for expanding access to the scientific literature. Like: Eastern Mediterranean Region Index Medicus, PubMed Central, Eastern Mediterranean Region Virtual Health Sciences Library, Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI)….etc.

 A good research topic should be feasible (can be done), interesting, novel, ethical and relevant (has an implication). These criteria have been collectively called the FINER formula FINER: F= feasible I= interesting N= novel E= ethical R= relevant

Feasibility: Before deciding on a research topic, the must researcher be sure that the research can be done and completed according to these factors: A.It should be possible to recruit the number of subjects to provide the answer to the research question within the timeframe of the planned research. B.Availability of the equipment, supplies and other requirements to undertake the research.

B.The researcher must have the required expertise. C.The cost of doing the research must be affordable and the financial resources available. D.The research objectives must not be too many.

Interest: The research topic must be of interest to the investigators and to the scientific community. Novelty: It is essential that the investigator is familiar with the up-to-date literature on the planned topic for the research. The research must be expected to contribute new information

Ethics: Ethical issues must be addressed at the early stage of selecting the research topic. If the research topic involves experimentation on human subjects, the following issues should be considered:  The research should not conflict with the society’s cultural, moral, religious and legal values.  If the topic is about testing a new therapy or procedure, evidence should already be available to suggest that it can be superior to currently available alternatives

 Before subjecting patients to a new drug or procedure, adequate data must be available to confirm safety and to suggest effectiveness. Relevance Also called: the “so-what?” test. For the research to be considered relevant, it must have the potential to advance scientific knowledge, influence clinical management, influence health policy, or guide further research.

 Research priority to Iraq and the region could be divided into three main groups: First group; health system research and this may include: 1.Accessibility and acceptability of health services. 2.Environmental sanitation 3.Community participation 4.Policy making processes and management

The second group: behavioral research: 1.Behavior problems of alcohol, drugs smoking 2.Positive behaviors 3.Health impact of life style like social activities etc. 4.Health impact of rapid socio technological changes like modernization, migration etc,

Third group : focus on major health and disease problem & this may include: 1.MCH problems. 2.Chronic diseases. 3.Diarrheal diseases. 4.Endemic tropical diseases 5.Vaccine preventable diseases 6.Nutritional disorders esp. affecting children & women e.g. anemia, iodine deficiency etc. 7.Aging. 8.Family planning and reproductive health. 9.Drug research.

Thank you