Authors: Clarke M, Zhang Y.
Chapter 3.5 describes the key factors to consider when determining the question that would be answered by research to resolve an uncertainty in health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM), including:
- Deciding on the general issue that needs to be studied.
- Defining a precise research question for the study.
- Confirming that the study is a priority, will make an important contribution to the existing evidence base and will not waste funding or other resources.
What is this chapter about?
One of the first challenges when designing a research study is to state clearly the question that it will seek to answer. Guidance on how to prioritise, choose and define their research question should help researchers to avoid waste and to produce evidence that will inform decisions in Health EDRM.
This chapter outlines some of the types of research question and study that would be suitable for various studies relevant to Health EDRM. It provides frameworks for planning an impact evaluation and choosing a relevant and appropriate research question.
Case studies presented in the chapter:
- Analysis of inpatients and deaths in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China.
- Designing a study to investigate the health effects of using electric fans during a heatwave.
- Evidence Aid prioritisation exercise to identify the highest priority systematic reviews of humanitarian action.
- Template for uniform data reporting of acute medical response in disasters.
What are the key messages of this chapter?
- Defining a clear research question, including any comparisons that will be made, is vital when planning a research study to fill an evidence gap for Heath EDRM.
- Outcomes to be measured and reported should be chosen carefully, in order to allow the study to answer the research question and provide evidence that will influence decision makers.
- A review of the existing evidence will help to ensure that the new study is a priority and that the answer to its research question is not available from existing research.
- If the study will need to be implemented rapidly (such as in a sudden-onset disaster), a pilot or feasibility study may be necessary and it will be important to have the design ‘on the shelf’ and ready to activate.
