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What is Research? – Purpose of Research

• By DiscoverPhDs
• September 10, 2020

The purpose of research is to enhance society by advancing knowledge through the development of scientific theories, concepts and ideas. A research purpose is met through forming hypotheses, collecting data, analysing results, forming conclusions, implementing findings into real-life applications and forming new research questions.

What is Research

Simply put, research is the process of discovering new knowledge. This knowledge can be either the development of new concepts or the advancement of existing knowledge and theories, leading to a new understanding that was not previously known.

As a more formal definition of research, the following has been extracted from the Code of Federal Regulations :

While research can be carried out by anyone and in any field, most research is usually done to broaden knowledge in the physical, biological, and social worlds. This can range from learning why certain materials behave the way they do, to asking why certain people are more resilient than others when faced with the same challenges.

The use of ‘systematic investigation’ in the formal definition represents how research is normally conducted – a hypothesis is formed, appropriate research methods are designed, data is collected and analysed, and research results are summarised into one or more ‘research conclusions’. These research conclusions are then shared with the rest of the scientific community to add to the existing knowledge and serve as evidence to form additional questions that can be investigated. It is this cyclical process that enables scientific research to make continuous progress over the years; the true purpose of research.

What is the Purpose of Research

From weather forecasts to the discovery of antibiotics, researchers are constantly trying to find new ways to understand the world and how things work – with the ultimate goal of improving our lives.

The purpose of research is therefore to find out what is known, what is not and what we can develop further. In this way, scientists can develop new theories, ideas and products that shape our society and our everyday lives.

Although research can take many forms, there are three main purposes of research:

• Exploratory: Exploratory research is the first research to be conducted around a problem that has not yet been clearly defined. Exploration research therefore aims to gain a better understanding of the exact nature of the problem and not to provide a conclusive answer to the problem itself. This enables us to conduct more in-depth research later on.
• Descriptive: Descriptive research expands knowledge of a research problem or phenomenon by describing it according to its characteristics and population. Descriptive research focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘what’, but not on the ‘why’.
• Explanatory: Explanatory research, also referred to as casual research, is conducted to determine how variables interact, i.e. to identify cause-and-effect relationships. Explanatory research deals with the ‘why’ of research questions and is therefore often based on experiments.

Characteristics of Research

There are 8 core characteristics that all research projects should have. These are:

• Empirical  – based on proven scientific methods derived from real-life observations and experiments.
• Logical  – follows sequential procedures based on valid principles.
• Cyclic  – research begins with a question and ends with a question, i.e. research should lead to a new line of questioning.
• Controlled  – vigorous measures put into place to keep all variables constant, except those under investigation.
• Hypothesis-based  – the research design generates data that sufficiently meets the research objectives and can prove or disprove the hypothesis. It makes the research study repeatable and gives credibility to the results.
• Analytical  – data is generated, recorded and analysed using proven techniques to ensure high accuracy and repeatability while minimising potential errors and anomalies.
• Objective  – sound judgement is used by the researcher to ensure that the research findings are valid.
• Statistical treatment  – statistical treatment is used to transform the available data into something more meaningful from which knowledge can be gained.

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Types of Research

Research can be divided into two main types: basic research (also known as pure research) and applied research.

Basic Research

Basic research, also known as pure research, is an original investigation into the reasons behind a process, phenomenon or particular event. It focuses on generating knowledge around existing basic principles.

Basic research is generally considered ‘non-commercial research’ because it does not focus on solving practical problems, and has no immediate benefit or ways it can be applied.

While basic research may not have direct applications, it usually provides new insights that can later be used in applied research.

Applied Research

Applied research investigates well-known theories and principles in order to enhance knowledge around a practical aim. Because of this, applied research focuses on solving real-life problems by deriving knowledge which has an immediate application.

Methods of Research

Research methods for data collection fall into one of two categories: inductive methods or deductive methods.

Inductive research methods focus on the analysis of an observation and are usually associated with qualitative research. Deductive research methods focus on the verification of an observation and are typically associated with quantitative research.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is a method that enables non-numerical data collection through open-ended methods such as interviews, case studies and focus groups .

It enables researchers to collect data on personal experiences, feelings or behaviours, as well as the reasons behind them. Because of this, qualitative research is often used in fields such as social science, psychology and philosophy and other areas where it is useful to know the connection between what has occurred and why it has occurred.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a method that collects and analyses numerical data through statistical analysis.

It allows us to quantify variables, uncover relationships, and make generalisations across a larger population. As a result, quantitative research is often used in the natural and physical sciences such as engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, finance, and medical research, etc.

What does Research Involve?

Research often follows a systematic approach known as a Scientific Method, which is carried out using an hourglass model.

A research project first starts with a problem statement, or rather, the research purpose for engaging in the study. This can take the form of the ‘ scope of the study ’ or ‘ aims and objectives ’ of your research topic.

Subsequently, a literature review is carried out and a hypothesis is formed. The researcher then creates a research methodology and collects the data.

The data is then analysed using various statistical methods and the null hypothesis is either accepted or rejected.

In both cases, the study and its conclusion are officially written up as a report or research paper, and the researcher may also recommend lines of further questioning. The report or research paper is then shared with the wider research community, and the cycle begins all over again.

Although these steps outline the overall research process, keep in mind that research projects are highly dynamic and are therefore considered an iterative process with continued refinements and not a series of fixed stages.

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Self-plagiarism is when you try and pass off work that you’ve previously done as something that is completely new.

In Finland, all new PhD holders are given a traditional Doctoral Hat and Doctoral Sword during a Conferment Ceremony, symbolising the freedom of research.

Dr Joseph gained her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge in 2018 and is now a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physics at the University. Her research is on better understanding how cells organises its contents via the process of liquid-liquid phase separation.

Nina’s in the first year of her PhD in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath. Her project is focused on furthering our understanding of fatigue within adolescent depression.

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Research: Meaning and Purpose

• First Online: 27 October 2022

Cite this chapter

• Kazi Abusaleh 4 &
• Akib Bin Anwar 5  

The objective of the chapter is to provide the conceptual framework of the research and research process and draw the importance of research in social sciences. Various books and research papers were reviewed to write the chapter. The chapter defines ‘research’ as a deliberate and systematic scientific investigation into a phenomenon to explore, analyse, and predict about the issues or circumstances, and characterizes ‘research’ as a systematic and scientific mode of inquiry, a way to testify the existing knowledge and theories, and a well-designed process to answer questions in a reliable and unbiased way. This chapter, however, categorizes research into eight types under four headings, explains six steps to carry out a research work scientifically, and finally sketches the importance of research in social sciences.

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Abusaleh, K., Anwar, A.B. (2022). Research: Meaning and Purpose. In: Islam, M.R., Khan, N.A., Baikady, R. (eds) Principles of Social Research Methodology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5441-2_2

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Practical research 1 / Esther L. Baraceros.

• Baraceros, Esther L [author. ]
• 9789712378447
• Qualitative research -- Methodology
• 001.4 .B223 2016
• Holdings ( 1 )
• Title notes ( 6 )
• Comments ( 0 )

"Applied Track contextualized subjects" --Cover

"Kto12" --Cover

Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-158) and index.

"Practical Research 1 will let the students experience a suyperior way of seeking answers to questions about things that they do not only find amazing or peculiar, but also puzzling or baffling. The desire to find out more about a certain subject or free the mind from any puzzling question will make them think of conducting a research, specifically a qualitative research. This type of research enables the students to discover the views, thoughts, and feelings of others, which will help them in unraveling their curiosities and explaining problematic ideas. This book is a one-stop source for everything that the students need to know about qualitative research." --Provided by publisher.

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1 What Is Practice Research and Why Is It Important

• Published: April 2020
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Chapter 1 of Practice Research in the Human Services: A University-Agency Partnership Model discusses the evolving definition of practice research. It highlights the need to identify ways to improve practice in the complex situations that characterize human services, by developing knowledge that emerges directly from everyday practice. Practice research often focuses on the relationships between service providers and service users, between service providers and their managers, between agency-based service providers and community advocacy and support groups, and between agency managers and policymakers. The chapter outlines the “practice” and “research” components of practice research, the role of theory, and the importance of local context in shaping specific approaches to practice research. It provides an overview of the university-agency partnership that provided the platform for carrying out the studies described in the volume, and offers perspectives on the related phenomena associated with learning organizations and evidence-informed practice.

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Home » Purpose of Research – Objectives and Applications

Purpose of Research – Objectives and Applications

Table of Contents

Purpose of Research

Definition:

The purpose of research is to systematically investigate and gather information on a particular topic or issue, with the aim of answering questions, solving problems, or advancing knowledge.

The purpose of research can vary depending on the field of study, the research question, and the intended audience. In general, research can be used to:

• Generate new knowledge and theories
• Test existing theories or hypotheses
• Identify trends or patterns
• Gather information for decision-making
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs, policies, or interventions
• Develop new technologies or products
• Identify new opportunities or areas for further study.

Objectives of Research

The objectives of research may vary depending on the field of study and the specific research question being investigated. However, some common objectives of research include:

• To explore and describe a phenomenon: Research can be conducted to describe and understand a phenomenon or situation in greater detail.
• To test a hypothesis or theory : Research can be used to test a specific hypothesis or theory by collecting and analyzing data.
• To identify patterns or trends: Research can be conducted to identify patterns or trends in data, which can provide insights into the behavior of a system or population.
• To evaluate a program or intervention: Research can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a program or intervention, such as a new drug or educational intervention.
• To develop new knowledge or technology : Research can be conducted to develop new knowledge or technologies that can be applied to solve practical problems.
• To inform policy decisions: Research can provide evidence to inform policy decisions and improve public policy.
• To improve existing knowledge: Research can be conducted to improve existing knowledge and fill gaps in the current understanding of a topic.

Applications of Research

Research has a wide range of applications across various fields and industries. Here are some examples:

• Medicine : Research is critical in developing new treatments and drugs for diseases. Researchers conduct clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of new medications and therapies. They also study the underlying causes of diseases to find new ways to prevent or treat them.
• Technology : Research is crucial in developing new technologies and improving existing ones. Researchers work to develop new software, hardware, and other technological innovations that can be used in various industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
• Education : Research is essential in the field of education to develop new teaching methods and strategies. Researchers conduct studies to determine the effectiveness of various educational approaches and to identify factors that influence student learning.
• Business : Research is critical in helping businesses make informed decisions. Market research can help businesses understand their target audience and identify trends in the market. Research can also help businesses improve their products and services.
• Environmental Science : Research is crucial in the field of environmental science to understand the impact of human activities on the environment. Researchers conduct studies to identify ways to reduce pollution, protect natural resources, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Goal of Research

The ultimate goal of research is to advance our understanding of the world and to contribute to the development of new theories, ideas, and technologies that can be used to improve our lives. Some more common Goals are follows:

• Explore and discover new knowledge : Research can help uncover new information and insights that were previously unknown.
• Test hypotheses and theories : Research can be used to test and validate theories and hypotheses, allowing researchers to refine and develop their ideas.
• Solve practical problems: Research can be used to identify solutions to real-world problems and to inform policy and decision-making.
• Improve understanding : Research can help improve our understanding of complex phenomena and systems, such as the human body, the natural world, and social systems.
• Develop new technologies and innovations : Research can lead to the development of new technologies, products, and innovations that can improve our lives and society.
• Contribute to the development of academic fields : Research can help advance academic fields by expanding our knowledge and understanding of important topics and areas of inquiry.

Importance of Research

The importance of research lies in its ability to generate new knowledge and insights, to test existing theories and ideas, and to solve practical problems.

Some of the key reasons why research is important are:

• Advancing knowledge: Research is essential for advancing knowledge and understanding in various fields. It enables us to explore and discover new concepts, ideas, and phenomena that can contribute to scientific and technological progress.
• Solving problems : Research can help identify and solve practical problems and challenges in various domains, such as health care, agriculture, engineering, and social policy.
• Innovation : Research is a critical driver of innovation, as it enables the development of new products, services, and technologies that can improve people’s lives and contribute to economic growth.
• Evidence-based decision-making : Research provides evidence and data that can inform decision-making in various fields, such as policy-making, business strategy, and healthcare.
• Personal and professional development : Engaging in research can also contribute to personal and professional development, as it requires critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

When to use Research

Research should be used in situations where there is a need to gather new information, test existing theories, or solve problems. Some common scenarios where research is often used include:

• Scientific inquiry : Research is essential for advancing scientific knowledge and understanding, and for exploring new concepts, theories, and phenomena.
• Business and market analysis: Research is critical for businesses to gather data and insights about the market, customer preferences, and competition, to inform decision-making and strategy development.
• Social policy and public administration: Research is often used in social policy and public administration to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and policies, and to identify areas where improvements are needed.
• Healthcare: Research is essential in healthcare to develop new treatments, improve existing ones, and to understand the causes and mechanisms of diseases.
• Education : Research is critical in education to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods and programs, and to develop new approaches to learning.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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6 Preparing Your Research Proposal

More often than not, there will be a few steps that you’ll have to take before you can start gathering and analyzing data in pursuit of an answer to your research question. Preparing a research proposal is a milestone in any research project and is often required by sponsoring institutions in order to transition from ‘the ‘planning’ phase to the ‘doing’ phase. So why, you might ask, are we talking about this step in phase III, ‘writing’? That’s a great question and it has to do, primarily, with the order of thought and the information that must be included in a research proposal. In this chapter, we’ll cover the basic requirements of most research proposals and address the requirements and responsibilities of a researcher.

Chapter 6: Learning Objectives

Before you prepare to implement your research methodology, it is likely that you’ll need to gain approval to continue. As we explore the development of the research proposal, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the individual elements of a research proposal
• Delineate between the rationale and implementation portions of a research proposal
• Discuss the ethical tenets which govern researchers
• Define the purpose of an institutional review board
• Compare categories of institutional review board applications

What is a research proposal?

A research proposal can be thought of as the general blueprint for a proposed research project. There are very few instances wherein research projects can be pursued without support of a sponsoring institution. That is, a healthcare system, hospital, or academic institution. To receive support from a sponsoring institution, a researcher must articulate a clear plan for their research process to include:

• An overview of the literature which supports the investigation
• A statement of the problem
• A statement of purpose
• A hypothesis or central question
• An overview of how participants will be identified, selected, contacted or data will be identified, analyzed, and protected
• An overview of the proposed methodology (i.e. approach to the study)
• An acknowledgment that participants, data, and results will be treated ethically throughout the study
• A timeline for the project

As Crawford, Burkholder, and Cox (2020) describe, these items can be split into separate portions of a research proposal, the rationale (i.e. Whye) and implementation (i.e. How).

As we discussed in previous chapters, developing a robust rationale for your research will help guide the entire research process. The introduction to your research proposal should include a general description of why the research should be conducted. Aside from your general interest, the introduction to the research should be firmly rooted in the available evidence which, first identifies a problem; second, identifies a purpose for the pursuit of inquiry into the problem; and finally, articulates a clear and focused research question which addresses the gap in current knowledge on the topic.

Implementation

Outlining your plan for implementation is essential to gain approval to conduct your research. Equally important to developing a well-articulated rationale, the identification of a clear methodology for how you will implement your approach is an important component of a research proposal.

A plan of implementation can be presented in several ways. However, an inclusive plan should include the following elements (Crawford, Burkholder, & Cox, 2020):

• How you will select participants or identify ‘what’ is included in your investigation
• How you will measure what you’re investigating
• What type of data you will collect and how
• How you will analyze the data
• Frame the terms that specify your investigation
• Qualities of the study that are inherent to the study, but may be overlooked as obvious unless addressed
• Delimitations narrow the scope of the study regarding what it does not include. Limitations are an acknowledgement of the weaknesses of the study design or methodology (Spoiler: there are limitations to EVERY study).
• Influence practice?
• Impact policy?
• Provide a foundation for future research?

We’ve spent a lot of time discussing how to identify a problem, a purpose, articulate a question, and identify a sample and the selection and implementation of an appropriate approach. Ethical considerations of the researcher is another essential topic for any researcher to cover. Here, we’ll provide a general overview of ethical considerations that are required of sponsoring institutions to ensure the ethical treatment of study participants and related data.

As a clinician, you’re likely familiar with the tenets of bedside bioethics that guide clinical practice:

• Autonomy : The right to self-direction and control
• Beneficence : The intention to do ‘good’, or what is in the best interest of the patient
• Non-Maleficence : The goal to ‘do no harm’ in practicing
• Justice : The pursuit of fairness and equity

These basic tenets of care do not change much when viewed through the lens of a researcher. However, it is important to note the foundation upon which research ethics were built. In 1974, the National Research Act was drafted in response to blatant abuse of research methods such as the Tuskegee study and resulted in the establishment of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.The ethical principles which guide researchers are derived outlined by the Belmont Report (HHS.gov) and include:

• Autonomy : Respect for a person to make personal choices and provisions and protections to be provided for participants belonging to vulnerable populations
• Beneficence : The intention to do what is morally right; to minimize risk and maximize benefits
• Justice : To promote equity among the treatment of individuals and groups

Researchers must address the ways in which they intent to uphold these principles in their proposed research project. Methods by which they do this include:

• Voluntary Informed Consent : Informed consent is a process which ensures that a participant is educated in terms that they can understand about the risks inherent to their participation. This process underscores respect through the provision of consent for a voluntary act (HHS.gov, n.d.)
• Avoidance of Harm : Avoidance of harm is related to the ethical tenet of beneficence and is the primary responsibility of the researcher
• Assessment of Risk: The common rule mandates that researchers ensure that the risk to potential participants in a research study are minimized and that the research cannot impose risk that outweighs the potential benefit of the outcomes.
• Right to Withdrawal: Participants must be made aware of their rights to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without consequences.
• Responsibility to Terminate: The principle investigator has the responsibility to terminate the research intervention should it be made clear that the intervention has either a detrimental effect on participants or an overwhelmingly positive effect such that it would be unethical to continue the study.

Universal research practices which promote these principles must be included in a research proposal in order to conduct research at most institutions and are outlined in the Common Rule which regulates the functions of institutional review boards (IRBs).

Institutional Review Board

An IRB is a formally designated group which has been established to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects recruited to participate in research; specifically research conducted at, or supported by, a specific institution. Here it is important to understand what is meant by the terms ‘research’ and ‘human subjects’. In regards to the requirement of IRB review, the term research means a systematic investigation, development, testing and evaluation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge (University of Southern California, n.d.). Human subjects in relation to research refers to a living individual who’s information or biospecimens are used or analyzed to generate either identifiable private information or biospecimens for the purpose of generalizable information (University of Southern California, n.d.).

Although there are some details which will differ between organizations, there are general categories of human subject research which must be reviewed by an IRB. These classifications are designated by the degree of risk assumed by the participants and the ability of the researcher to mitigate those risks. Minimal risk is described by the federal regulations as the probability and magnitude of physical or psychological harm that is normally encountered in the daily lives, or in the routine medical, dental, or psychological examination of healthy persons (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, n.d). Generally, research proposals will fall into one of the following categories:

• Exempt : Exempt research poses no more than minimal risk to adult, non-vulnerable populations.
• Expedited : Research that poses no more than minimal risk to participants and fits into one of the expedited categories described in federal regulations 45 CFR 46.110 (HHS.gov)
• Full Board : Research that does not qualify for either exempt or expedited review and poses more than minimal risk to participants. This type of review requires the approval from a full membership of an IRB.

Projects that don’t need IRB approval

Projects which are not considered human subjects research are not required to be reviewed by an IRB. Quality improvement projects do not typically require formal IRB review. However, individual institutional requirements should be reviewed and followed; preferably, in the planning phase of your research project to ensure that the requirements of your specific review align with both your approach and your timeline.

Key Takeaways

• Research proposals can be split into two primary components: The rational and the plan of implementation
• The introduction of your research proposal should encompass a description of your problem, purpose, and research question
• The identification of your research approach should be firmly guided by the ethical tenets of autonomy, beneficence, and  justice
• The researcher has an ethical responsibility to protect participants from risk
• An institutional review board is a formal board charged with reviewing risks associated with research projects
• There are differing levels of institutional review; assumption of risk is the primary factor in classifying level of IRB review

Crawford, L.M., Burkholder, G.J., Cox, K.A. (2020). Writing the Research Proposal. In G.J. Burkholder, K.A Cox, L.M. Crawford, and J.H. Hitchcock (Eds.), Research design and methods: An applied guide for the scholar-practitioner (pp. 309-334). Sage Publications

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. (2020, August, 17). Protection of human subjects . Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=83cd09e1c0f5c6937cd9d7513160fc3f&pitd=20180719&n=pt45.1.46&r=PART&ty=HTML#se45.1.46_1104

Health and Human Services. (2020, August, 14). The Belmont report . Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/index.html

University of Southern California. (2020, August, 17). Office for the protection of research subjects . University of Southern California. https://oprs.usc.edu/irb-review/types-of-irb-review/

The right to self direction and control

The intention to do 'good'

The intention to do no harm

Pursuit of fairness and equity

A systematic investigation

Living persons participating in research

Probability of harm that does not exceed that encountered in every day life

IRB classification for research projects that do not pose more than minimal risk to adult, non-vulnerable populations

Classification of IRB approval for research that does not pose more than minimal risk, but fits into federally regulated categories.

IRB Classification for research that does pose more than minimal risk for participants

Practical Research: A Basic Guide to Planning, Doing, and Writing Copyright © by megankoster. All Rights Reserved.

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Practical Research 1: Long Quiz

Life skills, english.

30 questions

Introducing new   Paper mode

No student devices needed.   Know more

It refers to the fundamental components of research such as the research problems, purpose, specific questions to be addressed and the conceptual framework to be applied.

The Research Paradigm

Research Foundations

Review of Related Literature

The Problem and Its Background

A research method that seeks to explain naturally occurring phenomena in the natural world by generating credible theories.

Scientific research

Experimental research design

Exploratory design

Artistic research

The research design which looks into a large group of people composed of individuals with varied characteristics is referred to as __________________.

Descriptive design

Cross-sectional design

Cohort design

It prefaces the study by providing a summary of the main idea and is usually short and concise.

Research abstract

Research questions

Research title

Research problem

These are essential attitudes that bring anticipated satisfaction or enjoyment in the completion of research tasks.

Support of the academic community

External support

Experience, training ad qualification

Motivation, interest, intellectual curiosity and perceptiveness

All but one is NOT the right of research participants.

Voluntary participation

Risk of harm

Informed consent

Principal investigators

Research should maintain objectivity. What does objectivity means?

Being impartial and independent from different factors.

Establishing validity among the data collected.

Showing prejudice to the subject matter.

Having partiality to the decisions being undertaken on the process.

What initiates the process of research?

Significance of the study

The design which combines aspects of various research design and methods is referred to as ________________.

Sequential design

Mixed-method design

Causal design

Karina wanted to know the effects of playing Mobile Legends to the academic performance of Grade 11 STEM 3 students. What research design would she best use to realize her main objective?

Action research

It describes how the researcher will answer the research questions in a credible manner.

Research design

Research framework

Research methodology

Having a well-developed design will enable the researcher to achieve the following, EXCEPT:

Review and synthesize previous studies ad literature related to the topic.

Describe the methods of analysis that will be used on the data gathered.

Clearly identify hypothesis that are significant to the problem.

Promote cost-effectiveness through documentation.

Intellectual property code of the Philippines is also known as _________________.

In the field of medicine, a new drug was must be tested to determine its efficacy in curing sickness before it ca be prescribed.

This statement only proved that research __________________.

Provides a scientific basis for any practice or methodology in a any field or discipline.

Helps develops tools for assessing effectiveness of any practice or operation.

Aims to advance the personal and professional qualifications.

Impacts decision marking.

The repetition of a prior research study in a different setting and time is called ___________________.

Redubplication

Replication

Double research

Research duplication

All the data to be reported should include all facts with accuracy.

Objectivity

The researchers should accept all comments and give considerations.

Respect for Intellectual Property

Non-discrimination

Responsible mentoring

When a paper is already submitted to a publication, no submission to another should be done.

Responsible Publication

The researcher should be fully equipped with research skills when conducting the study.

Confidentiality

An experienced researcher should impart knowledge to his or her students.

Respect for Colleagues

Social Responsibility

The researcher should ensure that the participants will not be adversely affected by the research and its results.

Human subjects protection

Respect for colleagues

Social responsibility

Any participants to any research activity must not be forced to take part in the study.

Informed Consent

Informed consent for a participant is best exemplified in which of the following actions?

Talking to him or her privately.

Surprising him or her with a questionnaire.

Writing him or her a letter.

Using a padrino system.

Confidentiality of a participant is best exemplified in which of the following actions?

Asking the participant to write his or her name in the questionnaire.

Not mentioning his or her name in the Participants of the Study section.

Introducing himself or herself in an interview.

Taking his or her picture and placing it in the appendix.

This research focuses on a group of people sharing common characteristics.

Longitudinal

Experimental

Descriptive

Some issues include tardiness of employees, incentives given to the staff, sportsmanship among school athletes, and implementation of a “clean and green” program in school.

Research is important as it ___________________.

Develops and evaluates alternative approaches to the educational aspects of any discipline.

Aims to advance the personal and professional qualifications of a practitioner.

Impacts decision making.

Provides solutions to problems concerning almost all issues encountered in the different areas of work.

Researcher A had presented the name of the barangay captain who helped him in giving him a legit information about the criminalities happened in their barangay as part of the data. Does the researcher did the right thing?

Yes, because the barangay captain deserves an appreciation for helping.

Yes, because his name was just used during the presentation.

No, because this is not preserving the confidentiality of the matter.

No, because he is not the direct person involved in the study.

It defines the geographic boundaries and certain demographic characteristics of the study.

Setting of the Problem

Literature Review

Objective of the Study

Research's Purpose

This design combines elements from various research designs and uses both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Exploratory

Mixed-method

This research looks into a large group of people with different characteristics.

Cross-sectional

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Increasing recognition of the health, economic, and social adversity endured by children with medical complexity (CMC) and their families commands substantial clinical, research, and policy attention. 1 , 2 Major initiatives wrestle with the practical challenge of identifying the relevant CMC population. Because many ways to identify CMC exist, different populations are created when different identification tools are applied. 2 A standard definition is naturally attractive for those committed to advancing CMC health because when inconsistent definitions are used across initiatives, combining or comparing results may be impossible. For example, if 1 health system uses an International Classification of Diseases–based system to identify eligible CMC for its care coordination program and another uses a combination of clinical and social characteristics from electronic health records and family surveys for its program, outcome differences between programs might exist not because one is more effective but because differences in defining populations lead to varied responses. Standard definitions could also help youth, families, and advocates coalesce their efforts around a common identity.

In this issue of Pediatrics , Millar et al’s thought-provoking article 3 explores how clinicians and researchers with expertise in medical complexity view specific criteria to operationalize Cohen et al’s 4-domain medical complexity definitional framework. 4 This definitional framework identifies CMC as the children at the intersection of having complex chronic health problems, severe functional limitations, substantial service needs, and high health care use. This is arguably the field’s most widely accepted conceptualization of CMC. Following a scoping literature review, Millar et al drafted a set of detailed criteria to reflect each domain, such as, “The child experienced an ICU readmission within 30 days of a previous ICU admission” for the health care use domain. Eighty-one experts participated in a Delphi process which reduced 55 candidate criteria into a final set of 39. Notably, the health care use and family needs domains included 13 and 23 criteria, respectively. The authors integrated social drivers of health throughout the family needs domain.

This study marks an important additional step on a lengthy road toward an operationalizable standard definition of CMC. Millar et al recognize that even with a rigorous Delphi process, eliminating subjectivity from the criteria as well as heterogeneity in the resulting CMC population is challenging. Because youth and families of CMC were not part of the Delphi panel of experts, the authors acknowledge the needed plan to integrate their input in the future. This raises an important question: “How does having a standard definition of CMC (and therefore of non-CMC as well) help children and families?” As authors of this commentary, we offer the shared perspective of a parent of a child with medical complexity who frequently collaborates on health system projects (D.M.G.) and a pediatrician and researcher working with CMC (R.J.C.). In fact, less is known about how standard definitions assist CMC and families, and the work by Millar et al inspires several important considerations.

In 2015, a group of authors wrote a practical summary of common techniques to identify CMC 5 rooted in the 2011 Cohen et al definitional framework. 4 Beyond “how” to identify CMC, the authors foreshadowed an incisive question of “why” identify CMC. The vast array of underlying conditions leading to medical complexity, many of which are rare, makes a universal standard a daunting endeavor. Reasons for selecting a specific technique to identify CMC often serve a specific purpose such as clinical or service program eligibility, policy analysis, or research. Flexibility in choosing a technique can help individuals match identification tools to available data structures, overall objectives, and existing resources; and standard definitions not calibrated to purpose can face competing dilemmas. For example, if program eligibility criteria and capacity are mismatched, the number of CMC seeking enrollment may overwhelm program providers and degrade services. Additionally, the dynamic nature of CMC comorbidities may lead to contradictory scenarios where a child’s eligibility can turn on or off over short timeframes. The stakes can be high if meeting the medical complexity definition is tied to eligibility for resources. With any definition, avoiding barriers that require families to perpetually justify eligibility is important.

In the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act, the 2019 federal legislation to enhance care coordination for children with complex medical conditions within Medicaid, medical complexity was defined as either (1) ≥1 chronic condition affecting three or more body systems that severely reduces cognitive or physical functioning and requires medication, durable medical equipment, therapy, etc., or (2) 1 life-limiting illness or rare pediatric disease as defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. However, the Secretary of Health and Human Services retained discretion to change these criteria, effectively altering what is defined as medically complex in this context. The flexibility is likely intended to calibrate services to resource availability; and as clinical services evolve over time, 6 the threshold for what is considered complex care might increase.

Another set of considerations relates to whether a standard definition of CMC should reflect intrinsic personal and biological characteristics or the nature of the system and social environment in which a child lives. Although health system function and social context affect child health, it can be less clear where these fit in a CMC definition. For example, should inadequate care coordination define medical complexity or define the malfunctioning system in which medical complexity exists? In Millar et al’s consensus criteria, unmet needs are represented in several criteria (eg, “the child is experiencing complications resulting from unmet care needs”) likely because they are a recognized serious problem. 7 In highly functional or idealized systems of care, unmet needs are minimized. If meeting family needs from the child’s conditions requires a system to perform complex work, the child might still be considered to have medical complexity even if those needs are met. The presence of needs—whether met or not—may be the more important concept for defining medical complexity.

When CMC definitions include system function, social context, and outcomes of medical complexity, avoiding inconsistencies in the attribution of medical complexity to a child may be important. Presumably, when medical complexity exists in 1 context (eg, inadequate respite), it should still exist in another for the same child (eg, if moving to a new environment improved respite access). Family reporting of needs being met can be highly variable, 7 which poses a risk for inconsistency. Because underreporting can be driven by mistrust, discrimination, and other experiences, 8 , 9 attention is needed to avoid exacerbating inequities if certain groups are less likely to report issues that are used to define complexity.

Existing tools have different sensitivity and specificity for identifying a CMC population when compared with expert chart review, and for predicting CMC outcomes. 5 , 10 , 11 They also have different degrees of feasibility in application. 1 However, most connect to a single foundational conceptual model. 4 , 5 We may someday achieve a standard operational definition for CMC. In the meantime, the work by Millar et al adds to the growing toolbox of instruments to identify CMC in populations, particularly when seeking to incorporate system and social factors within the definition. As we use these tools, it is important for us to recognize their relative strengths and weaknesses, transparently describe what was chosen and why, and seek a destination that ultimately brings value to children and families.

The authors thank Carolyn Foster and Cara Coleman for their thoughtful comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.

children with medical complexity

Ms Gerber and Dr Coller drafted the commentary and reviewed it critically for important intellectual content; and both authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

COMPANION PAPER: A companion to this article can be found online at https://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2023-064556 .

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