Introduction to Research

The word research was coined from a French word “CERCHIER” meaning “to seek or to search”. Thus, research is an attempt to solve or gain a solution to a problem. Research is “the process of systematically obtaining accurate answers to significant and pertinent questions by the use of the scientific method of gathering and interpreting information”.....Read More...

Types of Research

There are different types of research methods that can be classified into several categories according to the nature and purpose of the study and other attributes....Read More...

Selection of Research Problem

A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same. Research Problem is an unanswered question that a researcher might encounter in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation.....Read More...

Reviewing the Literature

Once the problem is formulated, the researcher should undertake extensive literature survey connected with the problem and perform critical review of previous studies. Reviewing the literature expands upon the reasons for selecting a particular research question and allows the researcher to.... Read More...

Research Objectives

Research objectives describe what will be demonstrated, tested, evaluated, confirmed or compared. The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study. Objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem. The formulation of objectives will help to:...Read More...

Research Hypothesis

Based on the experience with the study problem, it might be possible to develop explanations for the problem, which can then be tested. If so, hypotheses can be formulated in addition to the study objectives.

A HYPOTHESIS is a prediction of a relationship between...Read More...

Research Protocol

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Research Designs

A research design is the set of methods and procedures used in collecting and analyzing measures of the variables specified in the problem research. There are different types of research designs... Read More...

Sampling and its Types

Sampling means selecting a given number of subjects from a defined population as representative of that population. The main objective of sampling is to get a representative sample of the population by minimizing time, cost and human resources, and help to estimate and test the validity of the estimated population parameter. Read More...

Data Collection Techniques and Tools

Data collection technique is a process of gathering information on targeted variables in an established systematic fashion, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection instrument/tool refers to the device or guideline used to collect data, such as a paper questionnaire or computer-assisted interviewing system, etc. Read More...

Data Management and Analysis

After data collection, the data should be managed and processed in a systematic order to obtain valid results through appropriate analysis techniques. There are certain data processing operations before the data go through analysis procedure....Read More...

Survey

Making a single observation to measure and record something is a survey. Surveys are usually rapid, cross-sectional and mostly descriptive, one-shot (Usually not continuous) study....Read More...

Introduction to Community Diagnosis

According to WHO definition, it is “a quantitative and qualitative description of the health of citizens and the factors which influence their health. It identifies problems, proposes areas for improvement and stimulates action”.....Read More...

Process of Community Diagnosis

There are several steps of Community diagnosis process, which are....Read More...

Micro Health Project

Micro Health Project is the implementation part of any community health diagnosis. It helps to mitigate the community health needs through community participation and maximum utilization of the community resources. The micro-health project is conducted on the prioritized real need(s).

Micro Health Process....Read More...

Important of Community Diagnosis

1. It provides an overall picture of the local community and the residents’ concerns, and helps to determine existing health problems of community
2. It helps to determine the magnitude of health problems, their quantity & limitations
3. It helps to identify factors that affect the health of a population and determine the availability of resources within the community to adequately address these factors
4. It help to make decision on relation between existing health problems & factors affecting them
5. It guides for fixing priorities for solving problems
6. It provides guidelines for collection of baseline information or data regarding the program.
7. It gives feedback about the implementation, monitoring, surveillance and supervision of the program.
8. It helps to study the effectiveness of health service of community and its effect.
9. It helps to make systematic planning and implementation program by identifying the felt need & observed need of the community.
10. It helps to mobilize the public participation for improving community health. 
11. It acts as a data reference for the community under study
12. It suggests priority areas for intervention and the feasible solutions
13. It indicates the resource allocation and the direction of work plans
14. It creates opportunities for intersectoral collaboration and media involvement
15. It forms basis of setting indicators for community health evaluation

Variables

A variable is an empirical property that can take on two or more values. If a property can change in value or kind, then it is regarded as a variable. For e.g. weight (value), gender (kind)

Attribute: An attribute is a specific value on a variable.

Importance of variable:

• Variables help to present and analyze the data in a convenient way

• Identification of variables helps in the presentation of data

• Variables help to achieve objectives of the research

• Variables help to test the hypothesis

Operational Research in Health