This document provides an overview of the research process. It defines research as a systematic effort to gain new knowledge through discovery of facts and interpretation of evidence. The key aspects of research discussed include formulating a research question, developing a hypothesis, using the scientific method to test the hypothesis through experiments, analyzing data, and disseminating findings through publications or presentations. Original contributions, rigorous methodology, and sharing results are emphasized as important to high-quality research.

1. Research – An Overview
R.C. Gupta
MD (Biochemistry)
NIMS, Jaipur

2. What is research?
No single definition
Defined in different ways
by different persons

3. Some definitions
A systematic effort to gain new knowledge
A careful investigation for new facts
Discovery of new facts and their interpretation
Revision of theories in the light of new facts
What is common is the word ‘new’

4. Research is ...
Discovery of new facts or knowledge
Adding new information to existing
knowledge
New practical application of
knowledge

5. Scientific research
Unlike other
disciplines,
scientific
research
doesn’t
depend
solely uponː
Mental
processes
Critical
thinking
Reasoning
Personal
opinions

6. Scientific research requires scientific
method
Scientific method generally has four
stepsː
Making an
observation
Forming a
hypothesis
Testing the
hypothesis
Reaching a
conclusion
1 2 3 4

8. Observation – Drug X decreases blood
pressure
Hypothesis – Drug X can be used to treat
hypertension
Testing – Give drug X to a group of hyper-
tensives and monitor blood pressure
Conclusion – Drug X is or is not useful in
treating hypertension

9. Observation – Drug X decreases blood
pressure
Hypothesis – Drug X is better than the
older drug Y in controlling blood pressure
Testing – Give drug X and drug Y to two
groups and monitor blood pressure
Conclusion – Drug X is or is not better
than drug Y in treating high blood pressure
Controlled study

10. Scientific research generally begins with
a research question and/or a hypothesis
A hypothesis is an assumption based on
some evidence
A research question is an unanswered
question

11. The researcher tests the hypothesis to
find out whether it is correct
To test the hypothesis, the researcher has
to use certain methods
A methodical study would test the hypo-
thesis and answer the research question

12. Frame the research
question
Form a hypothesis
Collect data to test
the hypothesis
Interpret data to
answer the question
Research methodology

13. Question
Search literature
Form hypothesis
Conduct experiments
Collect data
Interpret data
Share knowledge
New questions
arise

14. Merit of the research depends uponː
Selection of problem
The “research topic” is really a “problem”
which the researcher tries to solve
How important
the problem is
How useful the
solution provided is

15. Before
finalizing
the
problem,
look at
itsː
Relevance
Originality
Feasibility
Cost effectiveness
Ethical issues

16. Framing the research question
Success of research depends upon how
well the research question is framed
The question tells us whether the problem
is relevant, important and researchable
The research question should be specific
and precise

17. Research question – The PICO format
P
I
C
Outcome
O
Population
Intervention
Comparison

18. Population The study population
Intervention Treatment, procedure, test etc
Comparison The population for comparison
Outcome The effect of the intervention
The question should describe P, I, C & O

19. Is pain medication more effective than
aerobic stretching in controlling post-
operative pain in adult patients with
total hip replacement?
A sample research question
P – Adults with total hip replacement
I – Pain medication
C – Aerobic stretching
O ̶ Post-operative pain

20. Research question – Criteria
F – Feasible
I – Interesting
The
research
question
should
meet
FINER
criteria
N – Novel
E – Ethical
R – Relevant

21. A research problem, framed as a question,
is the precursor to hypothesis
Hypothesis is a paring down of the problem
into something verifiable or falsifiable
A researcher must generate a realistic and
testable hypothesis
Hypothesis

22. Experiments to be done are built around
the hypothesis
The results of the experiments either
verify or falsify the hypothesis

23. Types
of hypo-
thesis
Null hypothesisː Meant
to be nullified
Alternative hypothesisː
Meant to be verified

24. Examples
of hypo-
thesis
Null hypothesisː Drug X does
not decrease serum cholesterol
Alternative hypothesisː Drug X
decreases serum cholesterol

25. Testing of hypothesis
Design
experiment
Collect data
Examine the
data statistically

26. Decide the type of subjects
Decide the sample size
Sample size should be large enough
to permit valid statistical analysis
Have an adequately sized group for
comparison
Designing experiments

27. Choose the experiments (e.g. measure-
ment of serum cholesterol)
Decide upon the instruments, reagents,
etc required
Take ethical clearance before starting
animal or human experiments

28. Perform
experiments
Collect data
Organize
data
Evaluate
data

29. Data analysis requires statistical tools
Use of statistics
Using appropriate statistical tests helps
in correct interpretation of data
Statistical tests ensure that the changes
observed are not chance variations

30. Originality and novelty are of paramount
importance in research
Originality in research
If the problem you are investigating has
already been solved, you will get no credit

32. In biomedical research, some
repetitive studies may be
justified because of:
Regional
variations
Racial
variations
Ethnic
variations

33. Repetition is justified if earlier work has
resulted in a controversy
Repetition is specially justified if you are
using:
Bigger
sample
size
Better
experimental
techniques
Better
study
design

34. Literature search shows us what has
been done about the problem in the past
A thorough literature search is essential
to ensure originality
Literature search

35. Literature search will show what is known
and what is not known about the problem
What is known can help us in refining the
research question
What is not known can show the way for
new work

36. Literature search can also provide
information aboutː
The
methods
to be used
The
sample
size
The
type
of study

37. Literature to be searched can beː
Primary
literature
Secondary
literature
Tertiary
literature

38. Papers published
in journals
Primary literature
Give authentic
information

39. Secondary literature
Review articles and
meta-analyses
Compiled from primary
sources and evaluated
Reliable if taken from
high quality sources

40. Derives information from
primary/secondary literature
Examples are reference
books
Reliability depends upon the
reputation of the author
Tertiary literature

41. A number of print journals are now
available online also
In many cases, back issues are also
available
Some of these can be viewed or
downloaded only on payment
Online resources

42. A number of databases are available
online
These include PubMed, MedlinePlus,
Embase, Web of Science, OVID etc
Most of these databases provide only
the Abstracts of papers

43. No single database can provide all the
information
A number of databases should be
searched to ensure thoroughness

44. Literature search will also be useful
while writing thesis or paper
Pertinent references will need to be
cited in the thesis or the paper
Ensure accuracy of the references that
you cite

45. Accuracy of references
Inaccurate references in a thesis can
annoy the examiner
Alternatively, check from a reliable
database
As far as possible, see the original
paper
Inaccurate references in a paper can
annoy the referee

46. What next?
You have done all the hard work
You have discovered a new fact
Hypothesis has been verified or falsified
Research question has been answered

47. Hence, you must share the facts
you have discovered
If you keep your research to yourselfː
You will
get no
credit
Others will
tread the
same path
Society
will not be
benefitted

48. In either case, you have to first write a
research paper
You can disseminate your research
byː
Presenting it in a
conference
Publishing it in a
journal

49. Papers sent to journals are reviewed
by independent experts (referees)
They are accepted for publication only
after approval by referee(s)
Publications in reputed journals are
read widely and have a long shelf-life
Such publications add to the prestige
of the author