How to select a topic for Scientific research?

-

 

🔹 Step 1: Identify Your Area of Interest

Ask yourself:

Which subject or field excites me most (e.g. Public Health,nutrition, health systems)?

What issues or questions do I often encounter in my teaching or clinical practice?

Which topics align with my long-term goals (e.g. publication, grant, or thesis)?

 Example: If you teach Health, possible broad areas could be:

Non-communicable diseases prevention

Health education methods

Maternal and child health

Environmental or occupational health

Health system challenges in a country 

🔹 Step 2: Review Current Literature

Look for:

Recent papers (last 5 years) in your area.

Gaps — what questions are not yet answered or only partially studied?

Contradictions in findings that need clarification.

 Tip: Read abstracts of papers in journals like American Journal of Public Health or BMC Public Health to get inspiration.

🔹 Step 3: Focus and Narrow It Down

Avoid topics that are too broad.

Ask:

Can this be answered within my resources (time, budget, access to data)?

Is it specific and measurable?

 Example Progression:

Broad: “Hypertension in adults”

Focused: “Dietary salt intake and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients in a Community ”

🔹 Step 4: Ensure Relevance and Feasibility

A good research topic should be:

1. Relevant – contributes to solving a local or global problem.

2. Novel – adds something new to the existing knowledge.

3. Feasible – doable with your available data, time, and resources.

4. Ethical – causes no harm or risk to participants.

🔹 Step 5: Frame a Research Question

Use frameworks like:

PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) – for clinical or interventional studies.

PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome) – for observational studies.

Example (PEO):

Population: Adults with prediabetes

Exposure: Dietary habits

Outcome: Blood glucose control

 Research Question:

“What is the association between dietary salt intake and blood glucose control among adults with prediabetes?”

🔹 Step 6: Discuss with Mentors and Peers

Before finalizing:

Share your idea with experienced colleagues.

Get feedback on feasibility and importance.

Check if similar studies exist or if your idea offers a new angle.

 Summary Checklist


Your topic should be:


[ ] Relevant to your field


[ ] Based on a clear gap in literature


[ ] Feasible to complete


[ ] Specific and measurable


[ ] Ethical


[ ] Interesting to you!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Eating well. New vitamin D guidelines

-
Image
 In 2024, Harvard Health Publishing and the Endocrine Society updated their guidelines on vitamin D supplementation, emphasizing tailored recommendations based on age, health status, and specific risk factors. General Recommendations: Adults Under 75: For healthy adults under 75, routine vitamin D supplementation beyond the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is generally unnecessary. The RDA remains at 600 IU (15 micrograms) daily for adults up to age 70 and 800 IU (20 micrograms) for those over 70.  Adults 75 and Older: Supplementation above the RDA may be beneficial due to potential reductions in mortality risk. A daily intake of 1,000 IU is considered acceptable for this age group.  Specific Populations: Children and Adolescents (1-18 years): Empiric vitamin D supplementation is suggested to prevent nutritional rickets and potentially lower the risk of respiratory tract infections.  Pregnant Individuals: Supplementation may reduce risks such as preeclampsia, intr...
Read more

Title: Which Diet Is Better? Clearing the Confusion Around a Balanced Diet

-
Image
  Title: Which Diet Is Better? Clearing the Confusion Around a Balanced Diet In today’s world of nutritional overload, it's easy to feel lost in the maze of diet recommendations. One day keto is king, the next it's Mediterranean, and then you’re told to go plant-based. So which diet is truly better? And more importantly, how do you choose a balanced diet that suits you? Let’s unravel the confusion. Understanding the Word “Balanced” A balanced diet isn’t about extremes—it’s about providing your body with all the essential nutrients it needs: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. The balance means you're not cutting out entire food groups unnecessarily or overindulging in others. Popular Diets at a Glance 1. Mediterranean Diet Rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, and fish. Pros: Heart-friendly, anti-inflammatory. Cons: May be expensive in some regions. 2. Low-Carb/Keto Diet High fat, moderate protein, low carbohydrate intake. Pros: Effe...
Read more

How Food Affects Common Medicines: What You Must Know

-
Image
  How Food Affects Common Medicines: What You Must Know. Did you know that something as simple as a glass of grapefruit juice or a plate of spinach can interfere with your medication? It’s true! Certain foods can reduce a drug’s effectiveness or even increase its side effects. If you're on regular medications like those for blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol, this blog is for you. Let’s dive into the most common food-drug interactions—and how you can safely plan your meals around your medicines. What Is a Food-Drug Interaction? A food-drug interaction happens when something you eat changes how a medicine works in your body. This can: Block absorption of the drug Increase or decrease drug levels in your blood Cause side effects or toxicity Why it matters: These interactions can be dangerous if ignored—especially for people with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. Common Medicines and Their Food Interactions 1. Antihypertensive Medicines (Blood Pre...
Read more