How to Conceptualize a Research Project

Abstract

(from the chapter) For a research project to successfully advance medical and scientific knowledge, each component of the entire research process must be clearly and rationally conceived before proceeding with active research steps such as data collection and analysis [1]. The research process has three phases: the conceptual phase the empirical phase, which involves conducting the activities necessary to obtain and analyze data; and the interpretative phase, which involves determining the meaning of the results in relation to the purpose of the project and the associated conceptual framework [2]. The conceptual phase is the part of the research process that determines which questions are to be addressed by the research and how the research project will be designed to successfully find the answers to these questions [2]. Conceptualization involves simultaneously bringing together several considerations to identify a good research idea, i.e., an answerable research question that is worth answering. Components of this process include conducting a thorough search of the peer reviewed literature, finding a mentor and other collaborators, considering methodology and study design, and assessing feasibility. It should be noted that although we describe these various components in a linear fashion in the text, in reality, the conceptualization phase is not a linear process and will require consideration of these components to varying degrees at various stages depending upon evolving circumstances and the early-career investigator's unique strengths and weaknesses (see Fig. 30.1). Even though careful attention to all these components will require time and effort on the part of the clinician-scientist, it will be time well spent, as it is necessary to lay the ground for a truly successful research endeavor Failure to plan thoroughly can result in wasted time, money, and; most important, unnecessary burden and risk for research participants if the project does not successfully answer the questions being addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)