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...
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…
