2. Generate ideas that will help in the choice of
a suitable research topic;
Identify the quality of a good research topic;
Turn research ideas into a research question,
aims (s) & objectives.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 2
3. Independent part of the research (Done by
students only)
Choose something to maintain the interest.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 3
4. Research Research Research Research
idea Question Aim (s) Objectives
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 4
5. Interested to the researcher.
Capability to undertake the research. (Access
to the data)
Feasible.
The topic can be linked to the theory.
Clearly defining & relating research questions
and objectives.
Consider your career goals.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 5
6. RATIONAL THINKING CREATIVE THINKING
Examining your own Keeping a notebook of
strengths and interests ideas
Looking at past project Exploring personal
titles preferences using past
Discussion projects
Searching the literature Relevance trees
Scanning the media. Brainstorming
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 6
7. Examining your own strengths and
interests:
a topic in which you are likely to do well
have some academic knowledge
Think about your future.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 7
8. Looking at past project titles
Thesis and dissertations.
How to read? Scan!
Noted down any title which grab your attention
Think of new ideas!
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 8
9. Discussion:
Colleagues, friends and university tutors are
all good sources of possible project ideas
“ideas can be obtained by talking to
practitioners and professional groups” (Gill
and Johnson 2002).
Record any idea during discussion.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 9
10. Searching the literature:
Sharp et al. (2002) discuss types of literature that
are of particular use for generating research ideas:
▪ articles in academic and professional journals;
▪ reports;
▪ books.
Of particular use are academic review articles.
Searching for publications is only possible
when you have at least some idea of the area
in which you wish to undertake your research.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 10
11. Scanning the media.
Stories which occur everyday in the newspapers in
both traditional print and online versions, may
provide ideas which relate directly to the item.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 11
12. Keeping a notebook of ideas
noting down any interesting research ideas as you
think of them and, of equal importance.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 12
13. Exploring personal preferences using past projects
Past project reports from your university
Raimond (1993) suggests that you:
▪ Select six projects that you like. For each of these six projects,
note down your first thoughts in response to three questions:
▪ What appeals to you about the project?
▪ What is good about the project?
▪ Why is the project good?
▪ Select three projects that you do not like. For each of these three
projects, note down your first thoughts in response to three:
▪ What do you dislike about the project?
▪ What is bad about the project?
▪ Why is the project bad?
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 13
14. Relevance trees:
use of relevance trees is similar to that of mind
mapping (Buzan 2006).
Example:
▪ Community Medicine
▪ Research Methods
Study types;
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 14
15. Brainstorming
a problem-solving technique on many business
and management courses, can also be used to
generate and refine research ideas.
It is best undertaken with a group of people.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 15
16. Brainstorming
To brainstorm, Moody (1988) suggests that you:
▪ Define your problem
▪ Ask for suggestions
▪ Record all suggestions, observing the following rules:
▪ No suggestion should be criticized or evaluated in any way before all
ideas have been considered
▪ All suggestions, however wild, should be recorded and considered
▪ As many suggestions as possible should be recorded
▪ Review all the suggestions and explore what is meant by
each.
▪ Analyze the list of suggestions and decide which applied to
you most as research ideas and why?
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 16
17. Capability: is it feasible?
Appropriateness: is it worthwhile?
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 17
18. Capability: is it feasible?
Is the topic something you are really interested in?
Do you have, or can you develop the necessary
research skills?
Is it achievable within the available time?
Is it achievable within the financial resources?
Can you access to the data?
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 18
19. Appropriateness: is it worthwhile?
Is the topic meet the standards set by the
institution? (HMU)
Is the research topic contain issues that have a
clear link to theory?
Able to state your research question and
objectives clearly?
Will the proposed research be able to provide a
clear understanding of the topic?
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 19
20. “Role of exercise ECG test in coronary artery
disease”.
“Role of exercise ECG test in determining the
extent of coronary artery disease in
comparison to coronary angiography”.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 20
21. Writing research questions (RQ):
A research question:
▪ state the purpose of your research project
▪ guides you through the process of research.
Reflects the aim (objectives)/ or the purpose of
the study.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 21
22. RESEARCH IDEA RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Health Education & How does the use of
Internet. health/ medical websites
affect education of people?
How the informed consent
Ethics & Surgery is taken from preoperative
women undergo Caesarian
section?
Motivation & Use of drugs What are the factors
determine the use of drugs
made by (X) company?
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 22
23. Research aims;
Aim is to try to achieve something. (Oxford Dictionary)
Use your research question as a base from which
you write a set of research aim.
Aims are more generally acceptable to the
research community as evidence of the
researcher’s purpose and direction.
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24. Research objectives:
The aim is the overall driving force of the research
and the objectives are the means by which you intend
to achieve the aims.
Maylor and Blackmon (2005) recommend that personal
objectives may be added to the list of research objectives.
(E.g. Stat. software)
Objectives should be SMART:
▪ S (Specific)
▪ M (Measurable)
▪ A (Achievable)
▪ R (Realistic)
▪ T (Timely)
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 24
25. RESEARCH QUESTION RESEARCH AIM RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
How does the use To determine the To measure the
effectiveness of the use proportion of doctors
of health/ medical have internet access at
of health/ medical
websites affect home &/ or office.
websites on doctors’
education of health education levels
doctors? in--from the period
between-- & --.
To measure the
How the informed To describe the frequency of women
consent is taken process of who give informed
from preoperative preoperative informed consent .
consent among To know the
women undergo demographic profile of
women undergo CS in
Caesarian section? women undergo CS.
– from– to --.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 25
26. The process of formulating and clarifying
your research topic is the most important
part of your research topic.
Generating and refining research ideas makes
use of a variety of techniques
Clear research questions, based on the
relevant literature, will act as a focus for the
research that follows.
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 26
27. Identify a research idea in your field of
interest, turn it into a research question, a
research aim (s) and objectives.
Write down in a an MS word in English
language.
Send your assignment within 2 weeks, from
(11/12/2012 -25/12/2012) to the following
email address:
sherzad.ali@med.hmu.edu.iq
Research Methods-Sherzad Ali Ismael- MODULE 2: Formulating & clarifying research topic 27