The journey into research begins with a single, critical decision: selecting your topic. Don't just pick something easy; choose an area that genuinely interests you and holds the potential for significant impact in healthcare. The best research is born from identifying a gap in existing literature and figuring out how your work can fill it. Always refine your initial ideas through rigorous discussion with your mentors and peers.
Before committing months or years to a project, subject your topic to the five-point FINER criteria. This acronym is your checklist for a solid, viable research question:
Feasible: Can you realistically answer this question within your limits? You must honestly assess your resources, time, expertise, and the availability of subjects. For instance, a medical student with limited lab access shouldn’t propose a study requiring advanced genetic sequencing. Keep your question aligned with what you can actually achieve.
Interesting: A great question must spark curiosity in both you and your audience. Your passion is your fuel; choosing a topic you genuinely care about, or one that addresses a major unknown, ensures you remain motivated and engaged through the inevitable challenges of the research process.
Novel: Does your research contribute new knowledge? The question must address a clear gap in the existing literature, offering a fresh perspective or resolving conflicting evidence. A thorough literature review is essential to confirm that your work hasn't already been done.
Ethical: Can this research be conducted without causing harm? This is paramount. Your study design must be ethically sound, respecting the rights and well-being of all participants. Always secure the necessary ethical approvals before proceeding.
Relevant: Will anyone care about your findings? Your question should have practical implications and be relevant to the academic community, industry, or society at large. Choosing a topic that addresses a pressing public health issue or aligns with current field priorities boosts the value and utilization of your work.
Once the question is finalized, select the research approach that best suits it. Your methodology dictates how you gather and analyze data.
Expert Opinion: Simply involves gathering insights from experienced professionals.
Observational Research: You study existing data or observe subjects without making any changes or interventions.
Interventional Non-Randomized Research: You introduce a new intervention but do not randomly assign subjects to groups.
Interventional Randomized Research: Subjects are randomly assigned to a group receiving the intervention or a control group.
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: You summarize and statistically analyze existing research papers on a specific topic.
Remember that foundational courses, such as your community health course, are designed to equip you with the public health research methods necessary to successfully execute many of these designs.