RM1-introduction - 2025

Welcome

  • Introduction to the Medical Research Institute of Medicine

Instructor

  • Dr. Rasha A. Salama

    • Associate Professor of Community Medicine

    • Research in Primary Health Care (PHC)

    • Research Methodology Course Year 1 (Starting January 2025)

    • Chairperson of Community Medicine Department, RAKCOMS

Course Outline

  • Introduction to Research Methodology

  • Importance of conducting research

  • Definition of research

  • Types of research

  • Purpose of research

  • Approach to research

  • Steps in conducting research

  • Characteristics of good research

  • Overview of course content

  • Methods of evaluation and assessment

Importance of Research

  • Why Do Research?

    • Research is vital for enhancing knowledge and improving clinical practices in medicine.

Health Definition

  • WHO (1948) Definition of Health:

    • Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

    • Broader Concept of Health:

      • Encompasses various dimensions: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.

Factors Affecting Health Policy

  • Health policies are influenced by socio-economic, cultural, political elements, and planning in relation to:

    • Community needs

    • Resources available

    • Existing interventions (strengthening and modification)

Types of Health Needs:

  • Community Perceived Needs

  • Professionally Determined Needs:

    • Includes morbidity, mortality, disability, and antenatal care/family planning (ANC/FP)

Health Resources Include:

  • Taxes, user fees, insurance contributions, donor agency contributions, staff, and equipment.

Importance of Research in Medicine

  • Research knowledge transforms into clinical practice, leading to evidence-based medical practices.

  • Quote from Dr. Sydney Burwell (1956):

    • “Half of what you are taught as medical students will in 10 years have been shown to be wrong.”

  • All health professionals should engage in health research or understand the research process.

What is Research?

  • Definition:

    • Research refers to the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to answer specific questions or solve problems.

Researcher Motives

  • Motivation:

    • Intrinsic Motivation: Driven by personal interest or enjoyment.

    • Extrinsic Motivation: Driven by external rewards such as money or grades.

Who Needs Research?

  • Target Audience Includes:

    • Undergraduate students (term papers)

    • Graduate students (master's/doctoral dissertations)

    • Doctors and nurses

    • Legislators needing information for law formulation.

Types of Research

  • Basic Research:

    • Aimed at gathering knowledge to formulate or generalize theories; often cellular-level studies.

  • Applied Research:

    • Seeks immediate solutions for practical problems, such as diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

Purpose of Research

  • Types of Research Purposes:

    • Exploratory, descriptive, and analytic studies.

Approaches to Research

  • Quantitative Research:

    • Measurement of quantity/amount; structured research methodologies.

  • Qualitative Research:

    • Focus on quality/kind; unstructured research; often involves behavior science.

Characteristics of Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research

  • Qualitative Research:

    • Understands consumer habits, perceptions, motivations, and trends through verbal/open-ended data.

  • Mixed Methods Research:

    • Integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Scientific Method Characteristics

  1. Tentative: Frequent review based on new data.

  2. Empirically Verifiable: Based on researchable data.

  3. Ethically Neutral: Maintains ethical standards, ensuring no harm to respondents.

  4. Shareable: Results communicated publicly.

  5. Based on measurable data with clear variables.

Steps in Conducting Research

  1. Data Collection: Study design, sample type, size, data sources, and collection tools.

  2. Data Presentation: Using tables for details and graphs for impressions.

  3. Statistical Analysis: Utilize significance tests for comparisons and regression for associations.

Characteristics of Good Research

  1. Requires a clear problem statement.

  2. Needs a well-defined research plan with objectives/methods.

  3. Builds on existing data and findings.

  4. Ensures reliability and validity of collected data.

Research Methodology Overview

  • Course Code: MRM 112

  • Duration: Year I, Semester I & II

Assessment and Evaluation

  • Continuous Assessment (CA) and Examinations:

    • Overall Contribution: 60%

      • TBL: 10 marks, Assignments: 10 marks, Practical coursework: 10 marks

  • Comprehensive Examination (CE):

    • Overall Contribution: 40%

Faculty & Staff

  • Full-Time Faculty:

    • Dr. Rasha A. Salama, Professor & Chairperson.

    • Dr. Mohamedanas, Associate Professor.

    • Dr. Dania Hassan, Teaching Assistant.

Recommended Books

  1. Research Methods for Public Health

    • Author: My A. Eyler

  2. Important Research Methods in Community Medicine

    • Author: J. H. Abramson

  3. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques

    • Author: C.R. Kothari

  4. A Practical Guide for Health Researchers

    • World Health Organization

Conclusion

  • Thank you for your attention and participation!