Identifying and Prioritizing Research Issues/Areas
Initiating the research process involves precisely outlining the study area and articulating the problem clearly—a crucial initial step in any research endeavor, particularly challenging for beginners. The ultimate goal of research on any subject is to bring about changes that positively impact the health of the population, addressing one or more health determinants.
Determining whether a problem situation warrants research is contingent upon three conditions:
i. There must be a perceived difference between the existing situation and the ideal or planned scenario.
ii. The reasons for this difference should be unclear, prompting the formulation of research questions.
iii. There should be more than one possible answer to a question or solution to the problem.
Various sources contribute to generating appropriate research questions or problems, including personal experiences, literature, existing theories, and previous research. The "FINER" criteria can guide the selection of a research problem/question:
F = Feasible: The research area should be feasible in terms of technical, financial, and administrative capabilities. Questions to consider include the availability of subjects, expertise, affordability, manageability, and administrative support.
I = Interesting: The selected problem area should be of interest to health policy managers and researchers.
N = Novel: It should fill gaps in existing knowledge or solve problems in a specific area, without duplicating existing efforts.
E = Ethical: In applied research involving human subjects, strict adherence to ethical policies and procedures is essential to avoid harm.
R = Relevant: The selected problem should be relevant and have priority in the specified geographical area, region, or country.
Research questions fall into three broad categories based on the type of information sought:
i. Description of the health situation needed for planning interventions.
ii. Information required to evaluate ongoing interventions.
iii. Information required to define problems and analyze possible causes to find solutions.
CRITERIA FOR PRIORITIZING RESEARCH TOPICS
The second step in conducting research is prioritizing topics for further exploration. Each proposed topic is assessed based on several guidelines or criteria:
⦁ Relevance
⦁ Avoidance of duplication
⦁ Urgency of data needed
⦁ Feasibility of the study
⦁ Applicability of results
⦁ Ethical acceptability
⦁ Political acceptability of the study
NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE (NGT)
The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) is a valuable group discussion technique for selecting research topics. The process involves individual listing of ideas, display and discussion of lists, voting and ranking, summarizing results, and iterative voting and discussion.
EXAMPLES:
Example 1
⦁ Problem scenario: In district "Y," a report reveals that 500 infants initiated immunization, but only 25 completed vaccination by the end of the year.
⦁ Discrepancy: The expected completion for all 500 infants in district "Y" was not achieved; only 5% completed vaccination.
⦁ Research question: Why did only 5% of children complete their vaccination?
⦁ Definitive answer: Out of 1 hospital, 2 health centers, and 10 health stations in district "Y," only 2 health stations were functioning due to regional insecurity. In this case, a research may not be necessary, as a clear answer has been obtained.
Example 2
⦁ Problem scenario: In district "Z" with a population of 150,000, having 2 health centers, 1 hospital, and 15 health stations operating seamlessly, end-of-year statistics reveal an EPI coverage of only 25%.
⦁ Discrepancy: Despite 100% availability of health services in district "Z," the EPI coverage is only 25%.
⦁ Research question: What factors influence the low EPI coverage in district "Z"?
⦁ Possible answers: Maternal hindrances to attending EPI sessions, lack of integration among health programs. This problem scenario is conducive to research.
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM
A systematic analysis of the problem, conducted collaboratively by researchers, health workers, managers, and community representatives, is a crucial step in designing research. This analysis enables the consolidation of knowledge, clarification of the problem and potential contributing factors, and facilitates decisions about the research focus and scope.
FORMULATING THE PROBLEM STATEMENT
After identifying, selecting, and analyzing the problem, the next significant section in a research proposal is the "statement of the problem." The importance of a well-defined problem statement lies in its role as the foundation for the research proposal, easing the search for information from similar studies, and systematically justifying why the proposed research on the problem is essential.
Points to consider for justifying the selected research problem include:
⦁ The problem being a current and existing issue that requires a solution.
⦁ Its widespread impact on a target population.
⦁ Effects on health service programs.
⦁ Relevance to planners, policymakers, and communities.
The problem statement includes a brief description of socioeconomic and cultural characteristics, an overview of health status, and a detailed description of the nature of the problem. This encompasses the basic description of the research problem, the discrepancy between what is and what should be, its size, distribution, severity, an analysis of major factors, a brief review of past solutions, and the need for further research.
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