title: Planning research.
abstract: The starting point for any research project should be a question. Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literature reviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used not only as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparation of the final report, but also in seeking any financial support and approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocol is normally arranged in sections covering the background to the study, the question(s) that it will address, the methods that will be used for the collection and analysis of data, the statistical power of the investigation (where relevant), any ethical considerations, and the financial input that will be needed. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of the study method are untried or of uncertain validity.
authors.affiliation: MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coggon
mesh_terms: D009787:Occupational Medicine; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design