Research methodology
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CHAPTER TWO
TOPIC SELECTION
2.1 Learning objectives
After completing this chapter, the student should be able to
:
1. Examine the cyclical nature of t he development of a research proposal
2. Describe the principles underlying whet her a problem situation is researchable.
3. List the criteria for selecting a research topic.
4. Identify and select his/her own topic ( health problem) for research based on certain guidelines. 2.2 Introduction
The development of a health project goes thr ough a number of stages. Formulation of the research proposal is the major task in the pr ocess of developing a research project. The proposal draws on all the preparat ory steps of the research pr ocess and pulls them together in a document describing the rationale and the methodology proposed for research. The proposal is a basis for approval and funding.
After approval, the proposal is used as a blueprint during implementation of the project. It should be no ted that devel opment of a research proposal is often a cyclical process. T he process is not always linear. It is a usual practice to go up and down on the developed pr oposal and make the necessary revisions.
Is there evidence to indicate that the resear ch proposal focuses on a problem of priority importance? Was the given health problem identified by rele vant groups of the health system? Was the problem adequately analysed to include all possible contributory factors from different sectors? Was it clearly stat ed? These questions should be clearly answered before trying to develop the research