Identify a Research Question

  • Choose a clear, focused, and relevant research question based on gaps in current knowledge or clinical practice.

  1. Conduct a Literature Review

    • Review existing research using medical databases like PubMed, Cochrane Library, or NICE guidelines to understand the current evidence base.

  2. Define Objectives and Hypothesis

    • Set clear research objectives and, if applicable, form a testable hypothesis.

  3. Select a Study Design

    • Choose an appropriate design: observational (e.g., cohort, case-control) or experimental (e.g., randomized controlled trial).

  4. Obtain Ethical Approval

    • Submit your research proposal to an ethics committee if the study involves human subjects.

  5. Collect Data

    • Use reliable methods like surveys, patient records, or lab experiments while ensuring data accuracy and compliance with data protection regulations.

  6. Analyze Data

    • Apply statistical methods to identify patterns, correlations, and significant findings using tools like SPSS or R.

  7. Interpret Results

    • Compare findings with existing literature, highlighting key insights and addressing limitations.

  8. Write and Publish

    • Draft a research paper including introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. Submit to medical journals or present at conferences.