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INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Understanding the Roadmap of Medical Research

Presented By:

Dr. Mariam Alsayd Awad

Assistant Lecture of Public Health and Community Medicine

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OUTLINES

What is Research?
What is Research Methodology?
Importance of Research Methodology
Why Does Research Matter in Clinical Practice?
Steps of the Research Process
A Clinical Example

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What is Research?

It is the habit of questioning with systematic examination of the observed information to find answers which may results in more effective professional services.

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What is Research Methodology?

The techniques and procedures used to identify and analyze information regarding a specific research topic.

It is a process by which researchers design their study so that they can achieve their objectives using the selected research instruments.

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Research Methodology Includes:

Research design,
Data collection methods,
Data analysis methods, and
The overall framework within which the research is conducted

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Provides clear framework to define research questions, hypotheses, and objectives.
Guides selection of appropriate design, sampling, data collection, and analysis methods.
Ensures findings are valid, reliable, and free from bias.
Facilitates replication by other researchers.
Ensures adherence to ethical guidelines.
Promotes efficient use of resources.

Importance of Research Methodology

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Why Does Research Matter in Clinical Practice?

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To achieve the optimum in patient care at any one time we need to increase knowledge all the time.
The core of good practice is that it is based on evidence which can be trusted. The core of all good evidence is the process of systematically finding out what works and does not work.

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A systematic approach to patient care that integrates the best available scientific evidence from clinical research with a physician's clinical expertise and the patient's values and preferences to make informed healthcare decisions.

EBM

Clinical Expertise

Scientific Evidence

Patient’s Values

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The Roadmap: Steps of the Research Process

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Research Process

Identifying the Problem

Reviewing Literature

Formulating Research Question

Selecting Study Design

Obtaining Ethical Approval

Collecting and Analyzing Data

Writing and Reporting Results

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Observation

Question

Methodology

Outcome

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Clinical Example

In daily practice, you notice that elderly patients with chronic diseases are frequently readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.

This leads to increased workload, higher healthcare costs, and frustration for patients and families.

You begin to wonder: Why is this happening so often?

Observation (Clinical Problem Noticed)

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From this observation, you frame a structured research question:

“What factors are associated with hospital readmission among elderly patients with chronic diseases?”

This shifts a vague observation into a clear, testable question.

Research Question

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Study type: Cohort study (following discharged elderly patients for 30 days).

Sample: Elderly patients (≥65 years) with at least one chronic disease.

Data collection tools

Variables: Age, gender, number of medications, health literacy, adherence, social support, discharge planning, comorbidities.

Analysis methods

This methodology ensures your question is answered in a systematic and reliable way.

Methodology (The Roadmap to Answer the Question)

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The study shows that low health literacy and poor medication adherence are strong predictors of readmission.

Practical impact: Hospital can implement discharge education programs and medication counseling to reduce readmissions.

Contribution: Generates local evidence that guides practice and improves patient outcomes.

Outcome (What the Research Achieves)

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Every research project starts with an observation.
The question gives focus, the methodology provides the roadmap, and the outcome creates impact.
Good methodology turns everyday clinical problems into meaningful scientific contributions.

Key Messages