Welcome! Seminar – Monday 6:00 EST HS Seminar Unit 1 Prof. Jocelyn Ramos

HS305 Research Methods for Health Sciences Audio Seminar! Please be sure your speakers are on! 2 Slide presentation by Ellen Weston with modifications

Agenda Key Terms Critical review of steps in scientific research process

Personal Goal for Seminars Create community of shared learners Provide a summary of material from the week Answer questions; clarify information as needed HAVE FUN! 4

Key Terms Research problem statement Sub-problem Hypothesis Null hypothesis

Scientific Research

Formal step by step process for answering questions and evaluating a null hypothesis

Scientific Research Process Characteristics Systematic Steps build on each other Designed to: –Add to the body of knowledge about a problem –Identify solutions to a problem And/Or –Evaluate effectiveness of various solutions

Scientific Research Steps

Scientific Research Process Step 1: Noting the Problem Research questions guide scientific study:

Scientific Research Process Step 1: Noting the Problem Research questions guide scientific study : Clearly identify topic of interest Indicate –Method(s) of study –Potential information sources –Potential participants

Scientific Research Process Step 1: Noting the Problem What is a sub-problem?

Scientific Research Process Step 1: Noting the Problem Sub-problem: Issues related to the problem that may be studied separately Often the sub problem is the focus of a research study

Scientific Research Process Step 1. Noting the Problem Example Topic: Juvenile Diabetes

Scientific Research Process Step 1. Noting the Problem Example Topic: Juvenile Diabetes Is the incidence increasing? Can some juvenile diabetes be prevented? How can we help children with juvenile diabetes live “normal” lives?

Scientific Research Process Step 2: Background Research

Identify relevant references –Library articles –Authoritative internet sources (e.g., gov sites) –Data to “illustrate” the problem –Experts –SOURCES MUST BE CREDIBLE Summarize information –Explain origin of problem –Identify possible solutions –Identify need for new info

Scientific Research Process Step 2: Background Research Example Topic: Juvenile Diabetes

Scientific Research Process Step 2: Background Research Example Topic: Juvenile Diabetes Peer reviewed articles Internet sites Interviews with juvenile diabetics and their parents Medical records

Scientific Research Process Step 3. Construct a Hypothesis What is a hypothesis?

Scientific Research Process Step 3. Construct a Hypothesis A prediction of what will occur in certain situations Links the independent variable (cause) with a dependent variable (effect) Written as a statement Can use the format it…then…

Variables

Characteristics of elements that can be –Measured –Have multiple values Used in hypotheses of theories Used in developing statistics

Problem v Hypothesis Problem ID: potential methods, where info can be found, potential participants Narrow, but broader than hypothesis Often a question hpoHesis Prediction of outcome Focused with measurable variables Always a statement If …. then format often used

Scientific Research Process Step 3. Construct a Hypothesis What is a null hypothesis?

Scientific Research Process Step 3. Construct a Hypothesis Null hypothesis: Traditional approach to test relationships between variables by stating that no significant differences exists

Scientific Research Process What are some hypotheses that could relate to juvenile diabetes? Step 3. Construct a Hypothesis: Example

Scientific Research Process Example: Juvenile Diabetes A proper diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels in children with juvenile diabetes Children who go to juvenile diabetes camp feel more confident in themselves than children who don’t go to a special camp Step 3. Construct a Hypothesis

Scientific Research Process Develop a research project a.Identify a Research Design b.Create a Sampling Plan c.Apply Research Methods Step 4. Test the Hypothesis

Scientific Research Process Research Design = the process for conducting the study Qualitative Quantitative Mixed Step 4a. Identify Research Design

Scientific Research Process Sampling: identifying a population (the elements with the information about the topic) and a workable subset of the population Probability techniques Non-probability techniques Step 4b. Create a Sampling Plan

Scientific Research Process Data Collection tools, such as Step 4c. Research Methods

Scientific Research Process Data Collection tools, such as –Experiments –Surveys & Interviews –Naturalistic Observation –Correlation –Case studies –Other methods More than one method can be used in a single study Step 4c. Research Methods

Scientific Research Process Determine if null hypothesis is true Review study process: did process effectively use Scientific Method? Data analysis –Descriptive Statistics –Inferential Statistics Conclusions & recommendations Step 5. Analyze Results

Scientific Research Process Use information –Implement new program? –Revise policy? –Need more info? Step 6. Develop New Question/Develop Policy

Scientific Research Process What might we do if we find that special camps for children with juvenile diabetes do help the children feel “normal?” Step 6: Develop New Question/Develop Example

Choosing Options for Steps in a Scientific Research Study

Purpose and Objectives Funding Ethical guidelines for conducting research with human participants Realistic constraints

Scientific Research Steps

Coming Attractions: Unit 3 Seminar: Library tour and research hints Discussion: Literature Review analysis Project: Matrix and Analysis of Types of Articles on a Single Topic in Health Science

Keep the lines of communication open. Whenever you have questions, ASK me or ASK your classmates! Thanks for Participating!