BULE HORA UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
Research Methodology for Medical Laboratory students
By: Alo E. (MPH)
12/07/2023 By Alo Edin (MPH in Epidemiology) 1
Assessment
• Proposal writing and Presentation (in Group – 30%)
• Quiz/Test (30%)
• Final written Exam - 40%
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Definition and characteristics of research
Research is a scientific inquiry aimed at learning new facts,
testing ideas, etc.
It is the systematic collection, analysis and
interpretation of data to generate new knowledge and
answer a certain question or solve a problem.
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Characteristics of research
It demands a clear statement of the problem
It requires a plan (it is not aimlessly “ looking” for something in the
hope that you will come across a solution)
It builds on existing data, using both positive and negative findings
New data should be collected as required and be organized in such a
way that they answer the research question(s)
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Types of research
The classical broad divisions of research are: basic and applied research.
The basic research is necessary to generate new knowledge and
technologies to deal with major unresolved health problems
Applied research is necessary to identify priority problems and to
design and evaluate policies and programs that will deliver the greatest
benefit, making optimal use of available resources.
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Types of research
Quantitative research
Early forms of research originated in the natural sciences such as biology,
chemistry, physics, geology etc. and was concerned with investigating things
which we could observe and measure in some way. Such observations and
measurements can be made objectively and repeated by other researchers.
This process is referred to as “quantitative” research.
This type of research is more concerned with questions about: how much?
how many? How often? to what extent?, etc.
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Types of research
Qualitative research
It attempts to increase our understanding of why things are the way they
are in our social world and why people act the ways they do.
Qualitative research is concerned with developing explanations of social
phenomena. It seeks to answer questions about:
Why people behave the way they do
How opinions and attitudes are formed
How people are affected by the events that go on around them.
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Health research
The ultimate goal of any national health development
process is to enable its people to reach a level of health
that enables them to make meaningful participation in
the social and economic life of the community in which
they live.
To attain this objective, countries should decide
on the best approaches to adopt.
However, this requires detailed and accurate
information on the existing health systems of the
countries.
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Health research……….
Research in the context of public health thus aims to provide all
aspects of information necessary for planning and the effective
implementation of a health system.
For all communities, whether affluent or poor,
health research is the top priority.
The research questions are formidable: how to join
with policy makers and communities in assessing
priority needs, planning, financing and implementing
programs, and evaluating them in terms of coverage,
efficiency and effectiveness.
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Health research……….
Research in the context of public health thus aims to
provide all aspects of information necessary for planning
and the effective
implementation of a health system.
For all communities, whether affluent or poor,
health research is the top priority.
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Health research……….
Public health problems are complex, not only because of their multi
causality but also as a result of new and emerging domestic and
international health problems. In this regard, the case of COVID-19
could be taken as an example.
Consequently, public health practitioners and researchers
recognize the need for multiple approaches to understanding
problems and developing effective interventions that address
contemporary public health issues.
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