Health Services Research the Conceptualization Stage in

Health Services Research The conceptualization stage in health services research is defined as the process through which we specify what we will mean when we use particular terms that will be used in the research. Conceptualization is primarily concerned with two major steps: the formulation of the problem statement and defining the conceptual and operational terms in the problem statement. In formulating the problem statement, it should be specific, identifying clearly the variables/concepts and measures/indicators that will be studied in the research.

Apart from being specific, problem statements should also be verifiable, meaning, each variable or concept is not only identifiable, but also measurable. These variables and concepts are measured through instruments, which must contain statements that are phrased affirmatively. Statements in the instrument must also be simple (and researchers must avoid double-barreled questions), clear, and unambiguous.

The formulation of the problem statement is perhaps the most important part of the conceptualization process since the researchers learn to distinguish important concepts or variables that will eventually be measured and analyzed in the study. The second part of the conceptualization stage is defining the terms that will be used in the research. Operational definitions are essential in the conceptualization process because terms used in the study will be applied in the context of the research.

Thus, if the research problem is about the effectiveness of 'touch therapy' in improving patient recovery, operational definitions of touch therapy effectiveness and patient recovery should be defined in the context of the study. Putting in the proper context the terms that will be used in the study avoids confusion that may arise among the audience in understanding the research report.

Furthermore, defining terms according to its operational use in the research guides the researches to remain in the scope of the study, determined through the definitions formulated during the conceptualization stage of the research process. The review of related literature is an integral part of the research because through it, researchers will know what kind of research have been conducted about the (researchers') topic of research. Reviews of related literature have different levels of abstraction, where each level becomes more intensive in its relation to the research.

These levels of abstraction serve as the researchers' basis for using the literature in the research. The levels of abstraction are enumerated as follows: similarity in theory or methodology, concept (primary structure of the research), similar topic of the research, and similar study that is conducted. The last two levels of abstraction may seem similar initially, but similarities in the study that is conducted means there is similarity in the topic, theory, and method used in both researchers.

Differences may be found in the RRL used and findings of each study. Meanwhile, similarities in theory or methodology are studies that utilize the same theories used in current research, or the literature uses qualitative/quantitative approaches in its methodology. Organizing the RRL may be based on the theme or chronology of the literature obtained. Through thematic RRL organization, materials are organized according to their similarities in each research's findings.

Chronological RRL organization is mainly used in studies where shifts in perspectives are analyzed by the researchers in relation to their research. In sum, RRL is an integral part of the research because it helps researchers identify the 'missing links' in the materials gathered. After identifying these 'missing links,' the researchers will now know what particular aspect of the research they should focus on, which are issues left unaddressed in previous studies on the topic, or unexplored methodology or theory.

RRL also provide a reflection of overlapping points in the obtained literature on the topic of the study, and identify recurring or deviating arguments about the research topic or problem. Types of research reviews are categorized according to the levels of abstraction discussed previously. Research reviews may be based on similarity in topic, theory, methodology, or the whole research itself. Similarities in topics are the easiest category of research review, where researchers will only look for studies that centers on their focus of study.

Since it centers only on the topic, it only provides basic information about how a study on the topic is conducted. Other than this function, this category does not provide sufficient insight about essential factors that the researchers can look into and use as the research problem of their study.

Thus, research reviews based on theory, method, and about the study (generally) are more helpful since they provide researchers useful insights about the kind of research/study they should focus on (ideally, distinctly different from previous studied conducted on the same topic). Secondary analyses are mainly used previous studies with findings relevant to the researchers' studies are available. Secondary analysis has an advantage of being accessible to the researchers, since findings and analysis about the study are already completed.

Furthermore, secondary analyses is economical and is less time- and effort-consuming, since the researchers have all the data they need, and will.