1. Research Process in the Light of
Anumana-Pramana
Dr. Vinodkumar M V
Professor in Dept. of Basic Principles of Ayurveda at VPSV Ayurveda College,
Kottakkal, Kerala.
2. Human beings are special
Reflective practices
Thinking
Planning
Imagination
Deduction
Interpretation
Inference
2
3. Beyond perception
Philosophy sees things beyond visible nature
Science speaks about principles behind natural phenomena
History is nothing but logical sequencing of incidences
Arts and literature nourishes personal imagination
Scientific method adopts logical deductions from visible evidences
Three out of six padarthas are assumptive
Management is well projected experience
There is no discourse without An Internal Process
5. Research process
• Observation
• Primary hypothesis
• Experimentation
• Testing of hypothesis
• Final conclusion
• Open discussion/Reporting
09.01.2018 5
6. reasoning
Inductive
Hypothesis generation
Observation based
Inclusion based
Sambhava
Deductive
Hypothesis testing
Comparison based
Exclusion based
Parisesha
7. Projection method
Sample - Population
Man - Universe
Vyakta – Avyakta
Udara - Mandagni
Jwarachikitsa - Chikitsa
9. designs
• Observational
• Experimental
• Observation without
inference
• Observation with
Inference
• Intervention without
comparison
• Intervention with
comparison
• Descriptive study
• Analytical study
• Single group trial
• Controlled Trial
10. • Descriptive study
• Analytical study
• Open trial
• Controlled Trial
Prospective cohort
Retrospective
cohort
Case control
Cross sectional
14. Observation - inference
Where?
Sample
What ?
Result
On what base ?
Based on evidences and
findings
Why?
Due to invariable
association
Are the findings specifically
present in the sample?
Yes
15. Additional terms
Saadhyavachanam – Hypothesis
Sadhyasadhanam – Research methodology
Saadhyanirnayam – Final result
Saadhyaprakhyaapanam – Research thesis/publication
16. samples
Testing sample
An ideal sample fulfilling reference criteria
An ideal sample excluding reference criteria
17. Ideal evidences
Should be derived from the proposed sample
Should follow an approved criteria (inclusion criteria)
Should abstain from exclusion criteria
Should not be self contradictory,
all the findings in the proposed criterion should be equally satisfied
Should not be contradicted by another criterion
Should be complaint with multiple trials/designs of the study
09.01.2018Pramana - Kannur 17
Sad-hetu
19. Sensitivity and specificity
Sensitivity – true positive – measures the
proportion of positives that are correctly identified
as such
Where ever X is there really Y also is there
Specificity – true negative – measures the
proportion of negatives that are correctly absent
Wherever X is absent Y also is absent
20. Ideal instrument
Should be sensitive and specific (Eg: RA factor in sero positive
arthritis)
Some tools are specific but not sensitive Eg: ESR in RA (active)
Some other tools are sensitive but not specific Eg: X ray findings in IVDP
21. Research fallacy (hetwabhasa)
Over extensive criteria
Intervention claimed to be effective in cancer after relieving anemia
Non repeatable evidence
Present in the study sample only
Over extensive sample
Absence of negative evidence
Selecting a criteria present in the proposed sample only
No control group
Self contradictory evidence
Increase of symptoms justified as good result
Proposed evidence challenged by another evidence
A finding supporting the result, another finding refuting the result
Sadharana hetwabhasa
Asadharana hetwabhasa
Anupasamharee
Viruddha
Sat-pratipaksha
22. Challenged in different model
Result in clinical trial challenged by that in animal model
Study completed in an imaginary sample
Fraudulent research
Study completed with fake results
Fraudulent research
Result affected by confounding factors
Confounding factor = a condition affecting the result
Badhita
Asrayasiddha
Swarupasidhha
Vyapyatwasidhha
23. Research reporting
Statement of hypothesis
Stating the method, findings and
evidences
Quoting standard findings
Comparing with standard findings,
interpreting the present findings
Conclusion
25. Anumana Yukti
Based on single finding Based on multiple finding
Based on mere observation Based on observation after
intervention
Lesser probability Greater probability
Suggestivity Predictivity
09.01.2018Pramana - Kannur 25
27. conclusion
There is no research without applying prime principles of Anumana
Yukti is the interventional model of Anumana
Research methods, by concepts, are one and the same at different points of
time
Change is only in the subject being researched