Research methodology, in essence, is simply a communication tool. In this course, I will guide you on how to converse in the 'language' of research. Just as the elderly who cannot read can still communicate in their spoken language, and as people from YEIL share a common dialect, language serves as a tool, not an academic barrier. The application of research isn't limited to academic spheres. It can be used as routinely and effortlessly as your native language in day-to-day life. Consider research as a regular communication tool rather than a purely academic entity. Let's journey together into transforming research into an engaging and accessible everyday language.
1. Research without numbers;
The idea of research often instills a sense of intimidation in people. One key reason is that research methodologies are typically steeped in mathematics. However, this course is designed to steer clear from mathematics. We'll keep the usage of numbers to an absolute minimum, making this course perfectly suited for individuals like myself, who lean towards intuition rather than mathematical computations. We warmly welcome everyone, especially those who might feel uneasy or even daunted by numbers. The complex numbers and mathematics that underpin research may not be as vital as you think.
Think of my father teaching me how to use a pair of pliers and a hammer to build a wooden birdcage. He didn't delve into the engineering mechanisms of the tools or how the pliers functioned. Instead, he showed me how to hold them correctly and use them effectively. We can similarly learn how to utilize research for our own purposes, just as I learned from my father how to construct a birdcage.
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| It looked just like this. I still don't understand how he could craft a hole using just a small saw. |
2. Research for Application, Not for Writing:
Secondly, when people think of research, they often associate it with 'writing research papers'. However, in this course, I aim to teach you how to enjoy research. Constructing a compelling medical article is akin to creating a new language – of course it's challenging. Just as you don't need to be able to make a car to drive a car, you don't need to master every facet of research to apply its principles.
Here are some potential ways to use research methodology in our everyday life:
- Read a topic in a newspaper or TV news
- Find the reference
- Check the study type and its primary outcome
- Interpret the result objectively (as per the original plan)
- Discuss with your peers and other professionals
- Apply the findings to your practice
3. Research for Your Practice
Thirdly, this course is tailored to acupuncturists. Most research resources stem from general science fields like epidemiology and psychology. Many of these are not directly applicable for acupuncturists. The majority of medical research education is focused on statistics and epidemiology (e.g., case control, cohort, cross-sectional studies). Epidemiology studies how frequently diseases occur in different groups of people and why. Typically, our primary interest is not in epidemiology, but in intervention. Basic observational studies such as cross-sectional studies, case control studies, and cohort studies are often emphasized in classes as they're considered fundamental study types. However, these types of studies are not as prevalent in acupuncture and herbal medicine research. While research methodologies share basic theories like statistics, their practical application can vary across fields like psychology, sociology, clinical medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This course is designed to teach you how to utilize research specifically for your practice.
Conclusion: Research Methodology as a Problem Solver:
Research methodology is a handy tool for uncovering truths that pique your interest. It's not the problem to be solved, but the tool to solve the problem.
Let's begin with understanding what you want to know. In the journey of finding the answers, you will get used to the tools needed. The process involves:
- Identifying your interests
- Recognizing the truths through empirical evidence
- Evaluating the findings using the evidence hierarchy and types of studies
- Searching for truths through literature search and reading
- Justifying your reasoning through writing your study.
Together, we'll embark on this exciting journey of discovery, turning the often daunting world of research into an enjoyable and fulfilling endeavor.