Importance of Research
Importance of Research
Importance of Research
Study Implications
The purpose of research is to inform action. Thus, your study should seek to contextualize its
findings within the larger body of research. Research must always be high quality in order to
produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research setting with implications that go
beyond the group that has participated in the research. Furthermore, the results of your study
should have implications for policy and project implementation.
One problem that often plagues progress in global health is the slow translation of research
into practice. Oftentimes, a disconnect exists between those who create the evidence base and
those who are positioned to implement the research findings. The underlying problem is in the
way in which the production of evidence is organized institutionally with highly centralized
mechanisms, whereas the application of that science is highly decentralized. This social
distance prevails because scientists are more oriented to the international audiences of other
scientists for which they publish than to the needs of practitioners, policy makers, or the local
public.(1)
Thus, as researchers, it is imperative to take steps to overcome this barrier. Publishing your
study may be one initial step to make your research known to the global community. Other
proactive measures can be taken to encourage the uptake of evidence-based interventions. For
example, you can present your research findings at various venues such as the Unite for Sight
sponsored Global Health and Innovation Conference. Furthermore, you can send the results of
your study to local officials, policy-makers, and community leaders.
Goals of Research
There are relatively few published studies about eye care in developing countries, and Unite For
Sight encourages all volunteers to consider developing a research study to contribute
important knowledge to the eye care community on a global scale. Pursuing a research project
will be a challenging and rewarding experience, and this opportunity enables you to pursue an
in-depth original study about a topic of interest.
Well-conducted research is vital to the success of global heath endeavors. Not only does
research form the foundation of program development and policies all over the world, but it
can also be translated into effective global health programs. Research draws its power from
the fact that it is empirical: rather than merely theorizing about what might be effective or
what could work, researchers go out into the field and design studies that give policymakers
hard data on which they can base their decisions. Furthermore, good research produces
results that are examinable by peers, methodologies that can be replicated, and knowledge
that can be applied to real-world situations. Researchers work as a team to enhance our
knowledge of how to best address the worlds problems.
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The Iterative Process of Research
Ultimately, the key to a successful research project lies in iteration: the process of returning
again and again to the research questions, methods, and data, which leads to new ideas,
revisions and improvements. It is easy to think of research as a step-by-step 1,2,3 process,
but it is important to be fluid and open to change. Oftentimes, by discussing the research
project with advisers and peers one will find that new research questions need to be added,
variables need to be omitted, and other changes made. As a proposed study is examined and
reexamined from different perspectives, it may begin to transform and take a different shape.
This is to be expected and is a component of a good research study. In addition, it is important
to examine study methods and data from different viewpoints to ensure a comprehensive
approach to the research question. In conclusion, there is no one formula for developing a
successful research study, but it is important to realize that the research process is cyclical and
iterative.