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Medical Laboratory Science · 400 Level
This is the complete lecture note for MLS 406 Research Methodology, prepared for Medical Laboratory Science students at 400 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: MLS 406 Course title: Research Methodology Course credit load: 2 Units Series 1: Introduction To Research Methodology And Literature Review • Part 1.1: Foundations of research methodology • Sub-Part 1.1.1: Meaning and scope of research methodology • Sub-Part 1.1.2: Importance of research in medical and public health contexts • Sub-Part 1.1.3: Key characteristics of scientific research • Part 1.2: Literature review in research • Sub-Part 1.2.1: Purpose and role of literature review • Sub-Part 1.2.2: Sources of literature (journals, books, databases) • Sub-Part 1.2.3: Techniques for organising and synthesising literature • Part 1.3: Problem identification and definition • Sub-Part 1.3.1: Identifying research gaps from literature • Sub-Part 1.3.2: Formulating clear research problems • Sub-Part 1.3.3: Criteria for a good research problem • Part 1.4: Linking literature review to research design • Sub-Part 1.4.1: How literature informs methodology choices • Sub-Part 1.4.2: Building a conceptual framework from reviewed studies Introduction Research is the backbone of progress in medicine, public health, and the social sciences. Without systematic inquiry, it would be difficult to generate reliable knowledge or to improve practices that affect human wellbeing. This Series introduces you to the foundations of research methodology and the critical role of literature review, helping you to appreciate how research questions are shaped and how evidence is gathered to support them. By beginning with these essentials, you will be well prepared for the more advanced aspects of research covered in later Series.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS The aim of this Series is to familiarise you with the principles of research methodology, guide you through the process of conducting a literature review, and help you understand how research problems are identified and defined. We shall commence this Series by examining the foundations of research methodology, including its meaning, scope, and importance in medical and public health contexts. Next, we will move on to the literature review, exploring its purpose, sources, and techniques for organising information. Following that, we will consider how research problems are identified and defined, with emphasis on criteria for a good research problem. Finally, we will wrap up by linking literature review to research design, showing how reviewed studies inform methodology choices and conceptual frameworks. This progression will ensure you gain a clear and practical understanding of how research begins and how it is anchored in existing knowledge. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the meaning and scope of research methodology, • SLO 1.2 explain the importance of research in medical and public health contexts, • SLO 1.3 describe the key characteristics of scientific research, • SLO 1.4 explain the purpose and role of a literature review in research, • SLO 1.5 identify different sources of literature such as journals, books, and databases, • SLO 1.6 demonstrate techniques for organising and synthesising literature, • SLO 1.7 analyse research gaps to identify potential problems, • SLO 1.8 formulate clear and specific research problems, • SLO 1.9 evaluate criteria that make a research problem suitable and feasible, • SLO 1.10 explain how literature review informs methodology choices, and • SLO 1.11 construct a conceptual framework based on reviewed studies. 1.1 Foundations Of Research Methodology 1.1.1 Meaning and scope of research methodology Research methodology is the systematic framework of principles, procedures, and techniques used to conduct research. It provides the structure that guides researchers in collecting, analysing, and interpreting data. Its scope extends across disciplines, ensuring that investigations are logical, reliable, and replicable. In medical and public health contexts, methodology is crucial because findings often influence patient care, policy decisions, and community health interventions. Fill in the blank: The systematic framework of principles, procedures, and techniques used to conduct research is called __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1.2 Importance of research in medical and public health contexts Research plays a vital role in advancing knowledge and improving practice. In medicine, it leads to the development of new treatments, diagnostic tools, and preventive measures. In public health, research helps identify risk factors, evaluate interventions, and guide policy decisions. By applying sound methodology, researchers ensure that their findings are credible and can be used to improve health outcomes. Fill in the blank: In public health, research helps identify __________ factors and evaluate interventions. Figure 1.1: Importance of research in medicine and public health 1.1.3 Key characteristics of scientific research Scientific research is distinguished by several key characteristics. It is systematic, meaning it follows a structured process; objective, meaning it avoids personal bias; empirical, meaning it relies on observable and measurable evidence; and replicable, meaning others can repeat the study and obtain similar results. These characteristics ensure that research findings are trustworthy and contribute meaningfully to knowledge. Fill in the blank: Research that relies on observable and measurable evidence is described as __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Pilot questions 1.1 1. What is research methodology? 2. Why is research important in public health? 3. Name one key characteristic of scientific research. 4. What does it mean for research to be replicable? 5. In medicine, what does research contribute to? 1.2 Literature Review In Research 1.2.1 Purpose and role of literature review A literature review is a structured summary and evaluation of existing research relevant to a particular topic. It helps researchers understand what has already been studied, identify gaps in knowledge, and avoid duplication of work. The role of a literature review is not only to provide background but also to justify the need for a new study. By critically examining previous findings, researchers can position their work within the broader academic conversation. Fill in the blank: A structured summary and evaluation of existing research relevant to a topic is called a __________. 1.2.2 Sources of literature Sources of literature include primary sources, such as original research articles, and secondary sources, such as reviews, textbooks, and reports. Reliable databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar are commonly used to access peer-reviewed materials. Selecting appropriate sources is crucial because the quality of the literature review depends on the credibility of the materials consulted. Fill in the blank: Original research articles are examples of __________ sources of literature.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.2: Sources of literature 1.2.3 Techniques for organising and synthesising literature Organising literature involves grouping studies by themes, methods, or findings. Synthesising literature means combining insights from multiple sources to highlight patterns, contradictions, and gaps. Effective synthesis requires critical thinking rather than simply listing studies. Researchers often use tools such as concept maps or matrices to organise information and ensure clarity. Fill in the blank: Combining insights from multiple sources to highlight patterns, contradictions, and gaps is called __________ literature. Pilot questions 1.2 1. What is a literature review? 2. Name one role of a literature review in research. 3. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources of literature? 4. Give one example of a reliable database for accessing peer-reviewed materials. 5. What does synthesising literature involve?
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.3 Problem Identification And Definition 1.3.1 Identifying research gaps from literature A research gap is an area where existing studies have not fully addressed a question or problem. Identifying gaps involves critically reviewing literature to see what has been studied, what remains unclear, and where contradictions exist. Recognising these gaps is essential because it provides justification for conducting new research and ensures that the study contributes meaningfully to knowledge. Fill in the blank: An area where existing studies have not fully addressed a question or problem is called a __________. 1.3.2 Formulating clear research problems A research problem is a specific issue, concern, or question that a study seeks to address. Formulating a clear problem requires precision and focus, avoiding vague or overly broad statements. A well-defined problem guides the choice of methodology, data collection, and analysis. It also helps in communicating the purpose of the study to others. Fill in the blank: A specific issue, concern, or question that a study seeks to address is called a __________. Figure 1.3: From research gaps to research problem 1.3.3 Criteria for a good research problem A good research problem should be relevant, meaning it addresses an important issue; feasible, meaning it can be studied with available resources; clear, meaning it is precisely stated; and
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS ethical, meaning it does not harm participants or communities. Meeting these criteria ensures that the research is both valuable and practical. Fill in the blank: A research problem that is precisely stated and can be studied with available resources is described as __________. Pilot questions 1.3 1. What is a research gap? 2. Why
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