1. Outline the steps of the research process.

2. Describe the conventions for presenting published research.

3. Discuss the style and language used in publications.

4. Briefly outline the way in which research papers are selected for publication by journal editors.

1 Research problems and questions

The first step in the problem-solving process is to state clearly and unambiguously the problem that we are intending to solve. Research problems reflect both the unmet health care needs of patients and opportunities created by new theoretical and technological advances for improving health care (see Chs 4 and 24). The problem must be realistic, one which can be solved with the resources at the researchers disposal. It is pointless, even unethical, to initiate research that cannot be completed (see Ch. 6).

Having identified a problem, our next step is to ask the ‘right’ research question (see Ch. 4). A well-formulated research question will guide the research project in producing the evidence required to answer the question and to solve the research problem. We will discuss in more detail the way researchers formulate questions in Chapter 4. In the case of the paper by Epstein & Ogden (2005), the research problem was the lack of evidence concerning GPs’ views of their treatment approaches to obesity. The research question is: ‘How do general practitioners view the treatment of obesity?’ Therefore, the aim of the researchers was to obtain evidence to describe and understand GPs’ views.

2 Planning

Research planning (see Section 2) involves selecting appropriate strategies and data collection techniques to answer research questions and to test the research hypotheses (we explain what these are in Chapter 4). Research planning relies on detailed knowledge of previous research summarized in a literature review. Also, the plan should take into consideration ethical and economic factors before the appropriate data collection strategies are collected and the precise research aims are stated. In addition, the planning process will take into account the target population and formulation of a sampling strategy to select the participants. In the present example, the population was defined as GPs working in London and the sample consisted of 21 GPs who consented to being interviewed for the study.

3 Design

Research designs are clear statements of how the research data are to be collected in the study. Appropriate research designs will guide data collection suitable for answering the research question (see Chs 7–10). In the study we are discussing, the design is described as qualitative research using semi-structured interviews. This design was appropriate for obtaining data pertinent to how GPs view the treatment of obesity.

4 Data collection

The next step in the research process is the collection of data. We will examine data collection methods employed in health research, including observation, measurement, in-depth interviews and focus groups, in Chapters 11–14.

5 Organization and presentation of the data

Descriptive statistics are used to organize and summarize quantitative data. Chapters 15–18 examine basic concepts in this area, outlining how graphs and various descriptive statistics are used to condense and communicate research and clinical findings. In qualitative research, the results are often presented in the form of direct quotations of what was expressed. In the study we are examining, the researchers provided a series of direct quotations of GPs’ understanding and management of their patients’ weight problems.

6 Data analysis

The analysis of quantitative data involves applying the principles of probability for calculating confidence intervals and testing the research hypotheses. Inferential statistics and decision-making is outlined in Chapters 19–20. The presentation and analysis of qualitative data involves identifying key themes which provide insights into participants’ personal meanings of events and experiences. The way in which GPs conceptualized their responsibility in the management of obese patients and the role of the patients in this process were two key themes which emerged from the interviews.

7 Interpretation of the evidence

The next step in a research project is the interpretation of results (see Ch. 21). The evidence is used to answer the research question and may support existing theories or practices or suggest new techniques. It is rare that the findings from any single research project are completely definitive, and often the results may suggest the need for further investigation in related subject areas or contexts. In the discussion section, the authors reported that the GPs conceptualized obesity in terms of patient responsibility. It was suggested that future research was required to resolve an apparent conflict between the understanding of GPs and patients views of the management of obesity.