1. Research Methods

2. Research Projects  Background Literature  Aims and Hypothesis  Methods: Study Design Data collection approach Sample Size and Power Reliability and Validity Analysis strategy

3. Research Project  Results  Discussion and Conclusion  Limitations  Acknowledgements  Disseminating your findings and getting published

4. Plan for the day  Results presentation and writing up  Discussion  Conclusion  Getting published

5. RESULTS  Summary of your findings  Consistent with your research method  Use appropriate display of information and analysis of data  Relevant statistical techniques where appropriate

6. RESULTS: How to present?  How will you display your findings? What are the options?

7. RESULTS Aim – to present your information in a way that can be easily understood, yet includes relevant detail

8. Data analysis  Data cleaning: analyse mistakes/ illegible responses/ inconsistent results/ implausible numbers Clarify which are accurate respondants May need to discard some data or go back to check data

9. Data analysis  Missing data- identify if any missing data? Errors or omission

10. Data analysis Re-coding  To group variables in a form in which you wish to analyse them e.g. from continuous data to grouped sets Eg age to age groups  Should spot-check for errors  Repeated by independent person – compare and check results

11. Data analysis: Browsing data  Central tendancy or characteristic of data Mean- arithmetic average Median- middle value Mode- most common

12. Browsing Data Variation in the data  Range of values: Min – Max  Standard Deviation – the average distance of individual observation from the group mean

13. Data analysis Differences within the data Difference between means (t-test) Differences between proportion (chi- squared)

14. Data analysis  Relationships within the data Relationship between 1 variable and another using statistical method Correlation Regression

15. Data analysis  Data transformations  Transform variables: Re-code Counts Scaling Conditional transformations (transform 1 variable depending on another)

16. Types of data analysis  Univariate analysis: single variables  Time series analysis- measuring changes over time  Bivariate analysis: pairs of data  Multivariate analysis: >2 variables  Cost effectiveness analysis  Use effectiveness analysis

17. Comparing variables  Comparing variables – distribution between 2/+ groups Testing difference between means (t-test) Comparing proportions: (Chi Squared) Comparing % in same sample at 2 different points of time (McNemar test) Comparing > 2 means (ANOVA- analysis of variance)

18. Results Section Describe basic data – first things first!  Text  Table  Graph  Use of number, n and %  Decimal points: general to 2 decimal 1.25 E.g. Number of patients included, excluded Demographic data

19. Results  Describing data Range Mean/Mode/Median Any basic trends Confidence Intervals and p-values Progress into more detailed statistical analysis as appropriate

20. Results Ensure use of tables/ graphs/charts is appropriate and to scale Title, label and provide a key if needed  Pie charts- percentages  Bar charts- comparison of different data  Line graphs- change over time  Histograms- continuous charted data

21. Results: tables  Should be concise  Make sure it makes sense to read on its own  May need more than one table if it is becoming large and unwieldy  If complex data, a graph may be better

22. Presenting results  Takes more thought and practice than you might imagine Exercise: Plan how you would present the findings of your research – what graphs, tables etc. would you use and why? Draft some examples – dummy tables

23. Conclusion & Dicussion  Summarise your findings – key points  Relate findings back to the literature base and your own aims and objectives  Discuss benefits of your study  Discuss limitations

24. Getting published!  A significant achievement – personally, for cv and career  But cannot be taken for granted  Consider the requirements of journals and their reviewers

25. Preparing a publication  Why do you want it to be published?  What does your research have to contribute to the field?  Is it timely, relevant and of interest?  Consider WHO is audience?  WHICH JOURNAL to publish in?

26. Preparing a publication  Consider which Journal might be willing to publish your research Area of interest Audience Type of research/ article Impact factor

27. Journal Style  Look at the Journal Guidance for Authors- what is the style required for writing up Spacing Font Margin Size Numbering Headings Number and style of tables, graphs etc.

28. Journal Style  Abstract style  Authorship  Conflicts of interest  Word Count, Which type of paper your research meets – case report/ review/ original research/ commentary etc..

29. Journal Style  Referencing Number of references Reference style – Vancouver, Harvard etc.

30. Writing up for publication  What is key finding? Structure article in way that will take the reader with you and engage them with the relevance of your findings

31. Writing up for publication Write a draft Revise Revise again! Don’t get too disheartened.. Get feedback from others..

32. Writing up for publication  Submit article – online log-in often  May need to suggest reviewers  Ensure you get submission deadline and provide correct contact details  Agree who is lead author on paper and corresponding author  Wait for feedback… and keep waiting.. Until hopefully you get a positive result!!

33. BARRIERS TO RESEARCH INTERNAL - Previous experiences (good/bad) - Knowledge, skills and confidence - Own beliefs about research value - Prioritisation of time for research In 5 minutes jot down your positive and negative internal influences on your research

34. BARRIERS TO RESEARCH EXTERNAL  Other commitments- practical/ work/ personal  Technology issues  Research supervision  Support from others Spend 5 minutes identifying external barriers to your research

35. Overcoming Barriers Spend 5-10 minutes identifying an action plan for your research protocol- think about targets being:  Specific  Measurable  Achievable  Realistic  Timely