INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH RESEARCH
DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH
Research is an integral aspect of both academic and non-academic endeavors, contributing to learning, innovation, and developmental activities. However, research often falls short of meeting expected scientific standards. Various authors have defined research in different ways:
Dictionary Definition: Research is "a careful investigation or inquiry, especially through searching for new facts in any branch of knowledge."
Scientific Inquiry: Research is a scientific inquiry aimed at learning new facts, testing ideas, etc. It involves the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to generate new knowledge and address specific questions or problems.
Health Research: Specifically, health research is the application of research principles to health-related issues. It utilizes the scientific method to identify and address health problems, generating new knowledge in the process.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
Research exhibits certain characteristics:
⦁ Demands a clear statement of the problem.
⦁ Establishes cause-and-effect relationships.
⦁ Contributes to the generation of principles and predictive theories.
⦁ Relies on observational, experimental, and empirical evidence.
⦁ Requires in-depth subject knowledge.
⦁ Should be objective, logical, and carefully recorded.
⦁ Demands patience and a methodical approach.
⦁ Researchers should avoid personal biases and feelings.
WHY TO DO RESEARCH? (OBJECTIVES)
Researchers undertake studies for various reasons, including:
⦁ Adding to scientific knowledge.
⦁ Improving medical and health practices.
⦁ Benefiting patients and communities.
⦁ Studying new phenomena to establish facts.
⦁ Assisting in planning medical and health programs.
⦁ Supporting managerial aspects of health development.
⦁ Enhancing diagnostic techniques with newer, cheaper, and more accurate tests.
⦁ Improving effective patient care management.
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TYPES OF RESEARCH
Research types depend on purpose, approaches, nature, and area:
1. Basic/Fundamental/Pure Research: Conducted in a laboratory or sterile environment, generating knowledge with no immediate application.
2. Applied Research: Aims to improve medical and health practices, solving immediate practical problems. Scientific knowledge is secondary in this type.
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HOW TO DO RESEARCH?
The first step in the research process is planning, involving:
⦁ Identifying the research problem.
⦁ Ensuring researchability of the problem.
⦁ Having appropriate methods to investigate.
⦁ Considering the protection of study participants' rights.
⦁ Accounting for time and budget constraints.
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MAJOR AREAS OF HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Research in health systems covers various areas:
⦁ Policy: Addressing health in national development plans, ensuring resource distribution equity, and respecting cultural and humanitarian values.
⦁ Environment: Enhancing living conditions, providing safe water and sanitation, waste disposal, and preserving natural resources.
⦁ Administration and Management: Aligning with policy, ensuring efficiency, and developing monitoring and evaluation procedures.
⦁ Community: Developing institutions promoting health and encouraging community participation.
⦁ Individual and Families: Assessing physical, mental, and socioeconomic needs and addressing specific health problems.
⦁ Direct Services: Ensuring appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, accessibility, and acceptability.
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CRITERIA FOR GOOD RESEARCH
A good scientific research should meet the following criteria:
⦁ Clear statement of the problem or purpose.
⦁ Detailed and clear research plan (procedure).
⦁ Thorough and clear research design.
⦁ Researcher honesty, transparency, and commitment, reporting observations without distortion.
⦁ Collection and appropriate analysis of data.
⦁ Systematic, logical, empirical, and replicable methodology.
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PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY RESEARCHERS
Researchers often face challenges, including:
⦁ Lack of scientific training in research methodology.
⦁ Insufficient interaction between research institutions and other organizations.
⦁ Duplication of research studies.
⦁ Absence of a code of conduct for researchers.
⦁ Inadequate secretarial assistance.
⦁ Mismanagement of library functioning and publications.
⦁ Lack of infrastructure.
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