Guidelines for Selecting Research Project Topics in Environmental Health

 
GUIDELINES/PROCEDURES FOR CHOOSING A GOOD RESEARCH
PROJECT TOPIC IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
 A PAPER PRESENTED AT A 3 DAY TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR
ENVIRONEMNTAL HEALTH TUTORS/OFFICERS IN THE WEST AFRICA
SUB-REGION AT PRINCE ALICE HOTELS & HOLIDAY RESORTS LTD.,
BENIN-CITY FROM 17
TH
 TO 21
ST
 APRIL, 2018
  BY
CHIKWE, CHRISTIAN K.  Ph.D
Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
 APRIL, 2018
 
 
 
Introduction
Research plays an important role in the lives of individuals,
organizations and the society in general.
 
Every now and then, research breaks new grounds which help to
bring about development and progress in environmental health.
Health related environmental problems are brought to the fore and
solutions to such problems are proffered through the
instrumentality of research.
 
 Effective research activities and efforts begin with choosing good
research topics.
 
This paper addresses the guidelines and procedures that will make
for choosing good topics.
Before looking at guidelines for choosing a good research topic, it
will be appropriate  to look at the meaning, characteristics, types of
research, the research process and other related issues in research.
This will help  in choosing a good research topic.
 
 
 
 
Meaning of Research
 
The process of finding solutions to problems through systematic collection,
analysis and interpretation of data.
 
systematic application of the scientific method to the study of a problem.
 
Characteristics of Research
 Research is systematic
 
Research is objective
 
Research is empirical
 
Research is replicable
 
Research has a clear goal
 
Research is cyclical in nature
 
Research is non-ethical
 
Research is a painstaking and expensive activity
 
 
 
Classification/Types of Research
 
Classification based on purpose
 
basic research
 
applied research
 
action research
 
research and development (R&D)
 
evaluation research
Classification based on method
 
historical research
 
survey research
 
Correlational research
 
causal comparative or ex-post facto research
 
experimental research
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classification based on whether research is quantitative
or qualitative
 
quantitative research
 
qualitative research
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Research Process
 
 
Problem identification and definition
 
 
Review of relevant literature
 
Formulation of research questions and 
 
hypotheses
 
 
Design of the study
 
 
Data collection
 
 
Analysis of data
             Interpretation
 
 
Drawing of inferences/conclusions
 
 
Writing the report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ethical Issues in Research
 
Honesty
Objectivity
Integrity
Confidentiality
Carefulness by avoiding errors and negligence
Responsible publication for the purpose of
advancing knowledge and scholarship and not
just for promotions
 
Choosing a Research Topic
 
A research topic is derived from a research problem
 
Importance of Choosing a Good Research Topic
 
It summarises and collapses the main idea of the research problem into
researchable statement.
 
It gives focus and direction to the study
 
It determines the success or otherwise of a study
 
It depicts the type of research and design
 
It depicts the purpose of the study
 
Sources of Research Topics
 
E-Library and other libraries
Completed research projects
Internet materials
Books and encyclopaedia
Journal articles
 
Guidelines for Choosing a Good Research Topic
 
The researcher must identify a problem first before framing the
topic to suit it.
 
The topic must fall within the discipline . That is, the topic must fall
within environmental health or related to environmental health.
 
It must address important problem in environmental health.
 
The topic should be of interest to the researcher. This will sustain
the attention of the researcher throughout the investigation.
 
The researcher should have knowledge on the topic. The topic
should be an area where the researcher is competent or area of his
expertise.
 
The topic must be informative. The topic should convey sufficient
information on the nature of the research problem or study.
 
The topic should not be too lengthy (should be between 12 and 18
words).
 
 
 
 
 
 
The above guidelines are summarized as follows:
 
Relevance
: The topic  should be relevant to the discipline
Avoidance of duplication:
 Investigate whether the topic has been researched.
 
Feasibility:
 Consider the complexity of the problem and the resources you will
require to carry out the study.
 
Political acceptability:
 It is advisable to research a topic that has the interest and
support of the authorities. This will facilitate the smooth conduct of the research and
increases the chance that the results of the study will be implemented.
 
Applicability of possible results and recommendations:
 Is it likely that the
recommendations from the study will be applied? This will depend not only on the
blessing of the authorities but also on the availability of resources for implementing
the recommendations.
 
Urgency of data needed:
 How urgently are the results needed for making a decision?
Which research should be done first and which can be done later?
 
Ethical acceptability:
 The possibility that the research may inflict harm on others
while carrying out research. Therefore, it will be useful to review the proposed study.
 
 
 
 
 
Scales for Rating Research Topics
Research topics could be rated using the scale the provided:
Relevance
1 = Not relevant
2 = Relevant
3 = very relevant
Avoidance of duplication
1 = Sufficient information already available
2 = Some information available but major issues not covered
3 = No sound information available on which to base problem-solving
Feasibility
1 = Study not feasible considering available resources
2 = Study feasible considering available resources
3 = Study very feasible considering available resources
Political acceptability
1 = Topic not acceptable
2 = Topic somewhat acceptable
3 = Topic fully acceptable
 
 
 
 
 
Applicability
1 = No chance of recommendations being implemented
2 = Some chance of recommendations being implemented
3 = Good chance of recommendations being implemented
Urgency
1 = Information not urgently needed
2 = Information could be used but a delay of some months would be
acceptable
3 = Data very urgently needed for decision-making
Ethical acceptability
1 = Major ethical problems
2 = Minor ethical problems
3 = No ethical problems
Adapted from: (Getu&Tegbar, 2006)
 
 
 
 
Conclusion
 
Many researchers have failed to provide tangible
solutions to environmental health problems because
they lack mastery in the act of choosing project or
researchable topics.
 
Again, having the knowledge is not enough but putting it
into practice is what makes the difference.
 
As you put the guidelines outlined in this paper into
practice, research will become a rewarding experience
as you are able to proffer solutions to environmental
health issues.
 
 
 
 
 
Thank You
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Research is crucial for addressing environmental health issues. Choosing a good research topic is the first step towards effective research. This paper discusses the meaning, characteristics, types of research, and the research process to help in selecting appropriate research topics. Understanding the research process, including problem identification, literature review, hypothesis formulation, data collection, analysis, and reporting, is essential for selecting a research topic successfully.


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  1. GUIDELINES/PROCEDURES FOR CHOOSING A GOOD RESEARCH PROJECT TOPIC IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH A PAPER PRESENTED AT A 3 DAY TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR ENVIRONEMNTAL HEALTH TUTORS/OFFICERS IN THE WEST AFRICA SUB-REGION AT PRINCE ALICE HOTELS & HOLIDAY RESORTS LTD., BENIN-CITY FROM 17THTO 21STAPRIL, 2018 BY CHIKWE, CHRISTIAN K. Ph.D Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni Port Harcourt, Rivers State APRIL, 2018

  2. Introduction Research plays an important role in the lives of individuals, organizations and the society in general. Every now and then, research breaks new grounds which help to bring about development and progress in environmental health. Health related environmental problems are brought to the fore and solutions to such problems are proffered through the instrumentality of research. Effective research activities and efforts begin with choosing good research topics. This paper addresses the guidelines and procedures that will make for choosing good topics. Before looking at guidelines for choosing a good research topic, it will be appropriate to look at the meaning, characteristics, types of research, the research process and other related issues in research. This will help in choosing a good research topic.

  3. Meaning of Research The process of finding solutions to problems through systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data. systematic application of the scientific method to the study of a problem. Characteristics of Research Research is systematic Research is objective Research is empirical Research is replicable Research has a clear goal Research is cyclical in nature Research is non-ethical Research is a painstaking and expensive activity

  4. Classification/Types of Research Classification based on purpose basic research applied research action research research and development (R&D) evaluation research Classification based on method historical research survey research Correlational research causal comparative or ex-post facto research experimental research

  5. Classification based on whether research is quantitative or qualitative quantitative research qualitative research

  6. The Research Process Problem identification and definition Review of relevant literature Formulation of research questions and hypotheses Design of the study Data collection Interpretation Analysis of data Drawing of inferences/conclusions Writing the report

  7. Ethical Issues in Research Honesty Objectivity Integrity Confidentiality Carefulness by avoiding errors and negligence Responsible publication for the purpose of advancing knowledge and scholarship and not just for promotions

  8. Choosing a Research Topic A research topic is derived from a research problem Importance of Choosing a Good Research Topic It summarises and collapses the main idea of the research problem into researchable statement. It gives focus and direction to the study It determines the success or otherwise of a study It depicts the type of research and design It depicts the purpose of the study

  9. Sources of Research Topics E-Library and other libraries Completed research projects Internet materials Books and encyclopaedia Journal articles

  10. Guidelines for Choosing a Good Research Topic The researcher must identify a problem first before framing the topic to suit it. The topic must fall within the discipline . That is, the topic must fall within environmental health or related to environmental health. It must address important problem in environmental health. The topic should be of interest to the researcher. This will sustain the attention of the researcher throughout the investigation. The researcher should have knowledge on the topic. The topic should be an area where the researcher is competent or area of his expertise. The topic must be informative. The topic should convey sufficient information on the nature of the research problem or study. The topic should not be too lengthy (should be between 12 and 18 words).

  11. The above guidelines are summarized as follows: Relevance: The topic should be relevant to the discipline Avoidance of duplication: Investigate whether the topic has been researched. Feasibility: Consider the complexity of the problem and the resources you will require to carry out the study. Political acceptability: It is advisable to research a topic that has the interest and support of the authorities. This will facilitate the smooth conduct of the research and increases the chance that the results of the study will be implemented. Applicability of possible results and recommendations: Is it likely that the recommendations from the study will be applied? This will depend not only on the blessing of the authorities but also on the availability of resources for implementing the recommendations. Urgency of data needed: How urgently are the results needed for making a decision? Which research should be done first and which can be done later? Ethical acceptability: The possibility that the research may inflict harm on others while carrying out research. Therefore, it will be useful to review the proposed study.

  12. Scales for Rating Research Topics Research topics could be rated using the scale the provided: Relevance 1 = Not relevant 2 = Relevant 3 = very relevant Avoidance of duplication 1 = Sufficient information already available 2 = Some information available but major issues not covered 3 = No sound information available on which to base problem-solving Feasibility 1 = Study not feasible considering available resources 2 = Study feasible considering available resources 3 = Study very feasible considering available resources Political acceptability 1 = Topic not acceptable 2 = Topic somewhat acceptable 3 = Topic fully acceptable

  13. Applicability 1 = No chance of recommendations being implemented 2 = Some chance of recommendations being implemented 3 = Good chance of recommendations being implemented Urgency 1 = Information not urgently needed 2 = Information could be used but a delay of some months would be acceptable 3 = Data very urgently needed for decision-making Ethical acceptability 1 = Major ethical problems 2 = Minor ethical problems 3 = No ethical problems Adapted from: (Getu&Tegbar, 2006)

  14. Conclusion Many researchers have failed to provide tangible solutions to environmental health problems because they lack mastery in the act of choosing project or researchable topics. Again, having the knowledge is not enough but putting it into practice is what makes the difference. As you put the guidelines outlined in this paper into practice, research will become a rewarding experience as you are able to proffer solutions to environmental health issues.

  15. Thank You

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