Session 3: Problem Analysis, Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Research Objectives

This lecture focuses on the conceptual and methodological foundations of translating real-world problems into rigorous and answerable research inquiries. Designed for clinicians, public health professionals, and medical or nursing students at an early stage of research engagement, the session addresses the critical transition from identifying a problem to formulating a structured research plan.The lecture begins with problem analysis, emphasizing how to distinguish researchable problems from routine operational or administrative issues and how to assess their relevance and importance in clinical and public health contexts. It then examines the formulation of research questions, highlighting their central role in guiding study design, methodology, and analysis.The session further introduces hypothesis formulation, explaining when hypotheses are required, how they differ from research questions, and how they should be logically derived from existing evidence and theoretical considerations. Finally, the lecture provides detailed guidance on writing research objectives, including general and specific objectives, with emphasis on internal coherence and methodological alignment.Intended audience: Clinicians, public health researchers, medical and nursing students, early-career health researchersResource type: Teaching and learning material (lecture slides)