Research

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Research

Why is research important?

“Research is essential to advancing society, strengthening the economy, driving innovation, and addressing the vexing and challenging problems we face as a people, place, and planet. It’s through research, scholarship, and discovery that we learn about our history and ourselves, understand the present context in which we live, and plan for and secure our future” (Rosowsky, 2022 Forbes article)
“Research is the most important activity to achieve scientific progress” (Dellis et al, 2013 NIH study)
Communities, regions, and states benefit from research universities

Research universities represent communities of scholars and collective expertise dedicated to the advancement of knowledge

Implications for health

Health research can provide important information on disease trends, risk factors, outcomes of treatments/interventions, healthcare costs, etc.
Clinical trials help us develop best practices and the highest quality of care to patients
Health research has led to the development of new treatments, therapies, and critical improvements in healthcare and public health (i.e. cancer treatments, vaccines, causal links, etc.)
Health research influences policy decisions at multiple levels of government
Health research also documents health disparities (access, disease outcomes, etc.)

Different types of research

Quantitative → numeric patterns and data; dominant framework in social sciences (examples: RCTs, data analytics, etc.)
Qualitative → non-numerical data; used to understand experiences, beliefs, behaviors, and interactions; initially used in psychology (examples: surveys, focus groups, interviews, etc.)
Empirical → derives knowledge from experience rather than from belief or theory
Descriptive → observing and measuring without manipulating variables; asks “what”; classifies, describes, compares, and measures data
Analytical → focuses on cause and effect; “why” something came to be
Applied → examination practical solutions for existing problems; answers a specific question
Fundamental → also known as basic or theoretical; research in science, engineering, and mathematics; usually published and shared within research community

Which is the most common?

It depends on the question being asked and the field!

Qualitative research → if you want to identify numerical trends and patterns
Qualitative research → if you want to better understand experiences and behaviors

What is good research?

Defining a research question
Identifying sources of information
Selecting appropriate research methods
Organizing notes and keeping track of sources
Proper evaluation, synthesis, and analysis of data or collected information
Replicability and generalizability
RCT’s are considered the gold standard of research and study designs

What is bad research?

Research that is inaccurate or invalid
Research that is inherently biased or flawed (should be peer reviewed)

Myths about research

There is only one way to conduct research
Research is conducted by scientists in a lab
You have to be an “expert” in order to conduct research

How do you evaluate research?

Surveys and experiments
Analytics and metrics
Expert and/or peer review
Replicability of study findings
Formative, process, and outcome evaluation

Challenges in modern research

Lack of representation within health research

Inability to generalize results to different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups

Funding, time, access
Systematic or institutional barriers

Example: IRBs and consent complexities

Poorly designed research studies
Gatekeeping research dissemination
Poor communication of research to the public

Sources

Research

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