Research Problem, Question and Objectives

A detailed plan outlining objectives, methodology, procedures, and timeline

What is a research protocol?

Determine magnitude of health problem, associated factors, evidence-based intervention, evaluate interventions, understand patient experiences

Where do I end when choosing a research topic?

Topic can be assigned or self-chosen

Where do I start when choosing a research topic?

Health parameters, disease risk, outcomes, procedure evaluation, statistics, case reports

What can I research about?

Global, national, institutional, or personal level

What scopes can research topics have?

No, only one research topic per study

Can I have more than one research topic?

An interrogative statement framing and focusing the research problem

What is a research question?

Focuses on concepts studied and their relationships

What does a research question highlight?

Feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, relevant

What are criteria of a good research question?

PICO framework: Population, Intervention, (Comparison), Outcome

What are the elements of a research question?

Concrete, declarative statements with infinitive verbs that answer the research question

What are research objectives?

General objective is a broad statement, often the declarative form of the research question

What is a general objective?

Specific objectives are multiple, focused statements that collectively achieve the general objective

What are specific objectives?

Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound

What are criteria of good research objectives?

Specific objectives contain WHAT, WHO, WHERE, and HOW

What makes objectives specific?

Measurable objectives obtain quantifiable data

What makes objectives measurable?

Attainable means it is reasonably possible to gather all needed data

What makes objectives attainable?

Relevant means all objectives connect to answer the research question

What makes objectives relevant?

Time-bound means the study exists within a definite timeframe

What makes objectives time-bound?

Judged by timeframe, setting, and test for association

How else can you judge your objectives?