SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION HCD 22202

L1: Introduction to Scientific Communication

By: Khairul Nizam Mohd Isa MCHSc (Environmental Health) UniKL MESTECH

Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:  Understand the definition of research  Understand the concepts needed in order to do research

What is Research?
 The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search.  re is a prefix meaning again, anew or over again  search is a verb meaning to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or to probe.  Together they form a noun describing a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles.

What is Research?
 Research is a systematic approach to the discovery and validation of knowledge.  Research includes the complete spectrum of scholarly and creative activities.

What is Research?
 A careful systematic study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles  A structure inquired that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and creates new knowledge that is generally applicable  A systematic investigation to find answers to a problem  A systematic process of inquiry in order to discover, interpret or revise facts, events, behaviours or theories or to make practical applications with the help of such facts, laws or theories  The term research is also used to describe the collection of information about a particular subject and is usually associated with the output of science and the scientific method

 As a professional you might be interested in finding answers to theoretical questions  What is the most effective intervention for a particular problems?  What cause X or what are the effects of Y?  What is the relationship between two phenomena?  How do I measure the self-esteem of my clients?  What is the pattern of programme adoption in the community?  What is the best way to find out the effectiveness of a particular treatment?  How can I select an unbiased sample?

Why do research?
 Enhances and enriches the quality of the educational (teaching-learning) experience  An enhanced understanding of how knowledge develops within a field  Expression of intellectual creativity  Administrative advantages

Benefits of Research
 Enhances and enriches the quality of the educational (teaching-learning) experience.  Complement the more traditional lecture format  Provides a stimulating intellectual atmosphere and excellent opportunities for good public relation  Expression of intellectual creativity  Administrative advantages

Benefits of Research
 Enhances understanding of how knowledge develops within a field  Experience the dynamic nature of the process of knowledge development  Active contribution to the knowledge base, rather than passive consumers  Data become real-not something sterile to be memorized from a textbook  Experience first-hand how knowledge evolves  Understand that what is true for today may no longer be true for tomorrow  Knowledge is continuously scrutinized and modified by new development

Application of Research
Pure Research
Concerned with the development, examination, verification and refinement of research methods, procedures, techniques and tools that form the body of research methodology. Example: developing a sampling technique that can be applied to a particular situation. Developing a methodology to assess the validity of a procedures Applied Research Most of the research in social sciences is applied. The research techniques, procedures and methods that form the body of research methodology are applied to the collection of information about various aspects of a situation, issue, problem and phenomenon so that information gathered can be used in other ways- policy formulation, administration and enhancement of understanding of a phenomenon.

Characteristics of Research
 Controlled  Assist in establishing causality  Rigorous  Need to follow procedures  Methods and procedures used are relevant, appropriate and justified  Systematic  Valid and verifiable  Result are correct and repeatable  Empirical  Conclusion drawn are evidence based  Critical scrutiny  Methods, procedures, results need to withstand scrutiny by others

What is Good Research

 Based on the work of others  Can be replicated (duplicated)  Generalizable to other settings  Based on some logical rationale and tied to theory  Possible to carried out  Generate new questions or is cyclical in nature  It is incremental  Apolitical activity that could be undertaken  For the betterment of society

Type of Research Activities

Pure Basic Research

Strategic Basic Research

Applied Research

Experimental Development

Type of Research Activities

Pure Basic Research

Experimental or theoretical To acquire new knowledge Without looking for long term benefits Just for advancement of knowledge

Strategic Basic Research

Experimental or theoretical To acquire new knowledge in specified areas Useful discoveries For the solution of recognized problems

Type of Research Activities

Applied Research
To acquire new knowledge with specific application To determine the possible uses for findings of the basic research to achieve some specific and predetermined objectives

Experimental Development
Systematic work using existing knowledge gained directed to produce new products

Basic Areas Of Health Research

1. Biomedical sciences
 Include studies on how human body works at molecular, cellular and general systemic architecture

2. Public health
    Prevention of diseases Promoting of health and well being for the community Health service Policy development

3. Behavioral sciences
 How people behave  How it affects the quality of life  This are is becoming more popular

Thank You

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

References
 Ebal, H.F., Bliefert, C. & Russey, W.E. 2004. The art of scientific writing. Wiley VCH  Ranjit Kumar. 2005. Research methodology: A step-bystep guide for beginners. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.