Research Orientation
Session
Dr. Rama Lakshmi Makineedi
Assistant Professor
Department of Community Medicine
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Objectives of Today’s Session
• Understand basics of research
• Learn how to choose a thesis topic
• Learn title framing
• Know research structure
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Coffee came to Sweden for the first time,
somewhere around 1674.
In the late 18th century,
King Gustav III of Sweden
believed that coffee was
poison and ordered a
clinical trial.
J Int Med, October 1991:289 - Introduction to editorial from Nordic School of Public Health, Goteborg, Sweden
Reprinted in Ann Intern Med 1992;117:30
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The king
sentenced a
murderer to
drink coffee
Control:
every day.
To provide comparison, another
murderer was pardoned on condition
that he drink tea every day.
Two doctors were appointed to
supervise the experiment and see
who died first.
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Both the convicts enjoyed long
life.
Finally, . . .
after many years, one of
the criminals died, at
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the age of 83.
He was the tea drinker.
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What is Research??
It is a systematic way of finding answers to
questions or solving problems using scientific
methods.
Research is the:
Systematic collection
Analysis
Interpretation of data
To answer a question or solve a problem.
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Why Research Matters!!
• Improves patient care
• Solves practical problems
• Builds critical thinking
• Supports higher studies
• Strengthens resume/CV
• Helps evidence-based practice
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Writin
g of
Resear
ch
Protoc
ol
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What is a Research Protocol?
A Research Protocol is:
• A formal written plan prepared before starting
the study.
• It acts as a roadmap for conducting research.
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Why is Protocol Required?
A protocol helps to:
Clarify research question
Review existing knowledge
Formulate hypothesis
Define objectives
Select study design
Address ethical issues
Apply for funding
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Choosing a Good Topic
Ask yourself:
• Is it practical?
• Is it interesting?
• Is it useful?
• Can I complete it in time?
• Can data be collected?
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FINER Criteria
Feasible
Interesting
Novel
Ethical
Relevant
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Structure of a Protocol
• Title
• Introduction
• Rationale
• Aim & Objectives
• Review of Literature
• Methodology
• Ethical Issues
• References
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1. Title of Study
A good title should be:
Concise
Clear
Descriptive
Informative
Attractive
Avoid
• Institution name
• Sample number in title
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How to Frame a Title
• Formula: Population + Topic + Place + Study
Design
Examples:
• Awareness regarding hand hygiene among students
in Eluru: A cross-sectional study
• Prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in
rural Eluru
• Effect of exercise on low back pain among
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Example of Good Title
❌ Poor Title
• Study of Ectopic Pregnancy
✅ Better Title:
A Cross-Sectional Observational Study of the
Etiopathology and Clinical Profile of Ectopic
Pregnancy at a Tertiary Medical College Hospital
in a District of Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Quick Activity!!!
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2. Introduction
Introduction should include:
• Background of topic
• Magnitude of problem
• Who is affected?
• Previous findings
• Existing gaps
• Need for present study
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3. Aim & Objectives in
Research
Objectives should be:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
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Aim and Objectives
Aim:
• Broad purpose of the
study.
Objectives:
• Specific steps to achieve
the aim.
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Example
Aim
• To study the etiopathology and clinical profile
of ectopic pregnancy among patients attending a
tertiary medical college hospital.
Objectives
• To identify demographic and obstetric
characteristics of women diagnosed with ectopic
pregnancy.
• To assess associated risk factors and
etiological contributors.
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• To describe the clinical presentation of
4. Methodology
Methods)
(Materials &
• Methodology explains how study will be done
Includes:
• Study design
• Study setting and duration of the study
• Sample size
• Sampling method
• Study Population (Inclusion & Exclusion criteria)
• Tools for data collection
• Ethical considerations
• Data analysis
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Sample Size Calculation (For
Prevalence Studies)
• Formula
4𝑃𝑄
𝑛= 2
𝑑
• n = Required sample size
• P = Prevalence (%) from
previous studies
• Q = 100 − P
• d = Allowable error
(usually 5% absolute or 10–
20% of P as relative error)
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Example
If prevalence of anemia = 30%
P = 30
Q = 70
d = 5
4 × 30 × 70
𝑛=
52
8400
𝑛=
= 336
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Required Sample Size = 336
If adding 10% Non-response
336 + 33.6 = 370
Final Sample Size = 370
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Sampling methods
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The idea of
sampling is
very old and
from time
immemorial.
On the basis of a sample study, we can predict
and generalize the behavior of the population.
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What
exactly
is
Samplin
g?
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Sampling is a process of selecting a
subset from a larger group in such a way
that information / estimates from the
subset can be generalized to the larger
group.
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Simple
Lottery method
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random sampling
Random number
tables
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Ethical considerations
• Informed consent
• Confidentiality
• Respect participants
• Honest data collection
• No plagiarism
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Example- Methodology
Study Design
• Hospital-based cross-sectional observational
study.
Study Setting
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, tertiary
medical college hospital in Andhra Pradesh.
Study Duration
• 12 months
Study Population
• All confirmed cases of ectopic pregnancy admitted
during the study period.
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Example- Methodology
Inclusion Criteria
• Women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy by
clinical, ultrasound, surgical, or
histopathological findings.
• Willing records/patients available as per study
design.
Exclusion Criteria
• Incomplete records
• Suspected but unconfirmed cases
Sample Size
• All eligible cases during the study period
(consecutive sampling)
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or calculate based on expected prevalence.
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Data Collection
Variables
• Age
• Gravidity/parity
• Previous
abortions
• Previous
cesarean/steriliz
ation
• PID history
• Infertility
treatment
• IUCD use
• Previous ectopic
pregnancy
• Presenting
complaints
• Duration of
amenorrhea
• Clinical signs
• Hemodynamic
status
• Site of ectopic
pregnancy
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• Management given
Data Analysis
Data will be entered in Excel/SPSS.
Descriptive statistics: frequency, percentage, mean, SD.
Association tests: Chi-square / t-test where applicable.
p < 0.05 considered significant.
Ethical Considerations
Institutional Ethics Committee approval will be obtained.
Confidentiality maintained.
No personal identifiers disclosed.
If retrospective records-based study, waiver/permission as
applicable.
Expected Outcome
The study will provide local evidence regarding common ris
factors and presenting patterns of ectopic pregnancy,
helping clinicians improve early suspicion, diagnosis, and
management.
References (sample)
Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics.
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Thank You
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