Diagnostic research features techniques types examples Advantages and disadvantages

Diagnostic research is a method of study by which it is possible to know what happens in a specific situation. That is, it is the analysis of a series of events in order to identify the factors that promoted the emergence of a phenomenon.

For example, a diagnostic research may be the study of the characteristics of an infection that has arisen in some population. Through this research, necessary actions can be taken to stop the disease.

One of the main features of diagnostic research is that it analyzes how the study subjects are affected by their relationship with the environment and with other subjects.

For example, if you want to study a phenomenon of bird migration (in this case, the object of study), it is necessary to analyze behavior, diet, climatic factors and the relationship with other species.

The most relevant features of a diagnostic research

raise a problem

Like all investigative processes, diagnostic research arises as a response to a problem or situation that justifies a solution.

This issue must be relevant; It is expected that, after identifying the characteristics of the scenario and determining the actions to be followed to find the solution to the said problem, many people will benefit.

Once the diagnostic research has been carried out, the result will determine whether, in fact, the proposed problem exists, what are the factors that interfere and to what extent the actors are affected, among other aspects.

Study the characteristics of an internship

The main objective of diagnostic research is to analyze a specific situation based on the observation of the scenario and its entire context.

To study a situation in depth, it is necessary to identify all its characteristics, detail them and discover their implications. Therefore, a fundamental part of a diagnostic research is to look at the study problem as a complex phenomenon.

Diagnostic research identifies the specific features of the situation being studied and its entire context, classifies them according to their implications, and examines them in detail.

Identify the factors involved

When carrying out a diagnostic research, it is very important to recognize the key elements that impact the problem.

As diagnostic research seeks to study a situation and its context in an exhaustive way, it is necessary to know all the factors involved in it.

Take into account issues, contexts and actions

In a diagnostic research, because it is a deep exploration, not only the subjects that are part of the problem to be studied, but also their actions and contexts must be taken into account.

The problems in general are complex and admit the participation of different factors. It is wrong to base a diagnostic research on the observation of a single element.

Situations are the product of different components and diagnostic research seek to analyze all participating factors, be they subjects, contexts or actions.

Diagnostic research techniques

To achieve its goals, diagnostic research follows a series of steps and techniques. One of the initial steps in diagnostic research is population and sample selection.

population and sample

The population refers to the entity in which the study will be carried out. It may consist of individuals, events or other elements. Although the sample is part of the selected population, representing all study subjects.

For example, to carry out studies on a population of birds, it would be impossible to study all of them; it is necessary to select a group of them that will represent all the others during the research.

It is essential to carefully choose the sample so that the results and findings obtained from it can be applied to the entire population. Continuing with the example of birds, one must choose a group composed of healthy animals, of a single species, with the same diet, among other aspects.

How to express the data

The data compose the research variables, understanding as a variable a specific characteristic or property of the object under study. For example: the color of birds or the weight of birds. Variables are observed and accounted for in the research. Therefore, they are expressed qualitatively and/or quantitatively:

– Qualitative data: are those expressed through verbal symbols, avoiding quantification (ie, numbers). For example: the colors of objects, people’s gender, socioeconomic level, among others.

– Quantitative data: are expressed in numbers and originate from a calculation or measurement. For example: age of people in an indigenous population, weight, height, height, among others.

Data collection techniques

Data collection techniques are the means used by the researcher to collect information about their work, including:

– Observation: it is the visual record of a situation. This technique collects information according to the types of data you want to obtain. In other words, a methodology is followed.

– The research: in this technique, the information of the study subjects is provided by themselves. That is, questionnaires or surveys are used to collect the data.

– Interview: consists of a verbal communication between the subject and the researcher. As with surveys, this method is based on a series of questions.

Types of diagnostic research

– Comparative research

In these researches, two categories of one variable are compared in the same sample. For example: comparing the characteristics of a disease according to sex (female/male) or nutritional status (malnourished/nourished).

From a comparative research, it can be established whether the different characteristics of a variable are different or similar. This allows describing the elements that explain the presence of the phenomenon in a given situation.

– Correlation research

Correlation studies are used to establish how variables are related. In other words, these research assess how the characteristics of one variable correspond to those of other variables.

For example, if you want to diagnose the development of a particular plant, you can analyze how different conditions of light, moisture and soil acidity interact with each other; All these elements are variables that correlate.

– Development research

Developmental research is used when you need to assess changes that occur over time. That is, how the study subjects develop over periods that can be months or years.

For example: an research into the change of the geographic location of a herd of dolphins over the course of a year.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantage

Through diagnostic research, certain and proven knowledge is achieved that leads to a better understanding of reality. This is due to its methodology, characterized by being well structured, including a rigorous analysis of the data and the use of validated instruments.

These properties are the great advantage of diagnostic research and, thanks to its rigor, it is the type of research chosen in medical and epidemiological studies (ie, studies on epidemics and diseases).

Disadvantages

To develop these studies, it is necessary to know the scientific method in depth; stages, the correct formulation of the problem and the analysis of the data.

All these factors make diagnostic research a procedure that is not very accessible to the general public, which represents its greatest weakness, as not everyone can apply it; In conclusion, it requires a specific methodology to be able to carry it out.

Examples

Here are some simple examples of diagnostic research:

– Analysis of the characteristics of a population (age, sex, symptoms) affected by a disease in a given region.

– The description of the characteristics of a school population.

– The comparative study of the performance of mathematics students in the virtual and face-to-face modalities (ie, digital classes compared to traditional face-to-face classes).

– Establish the relationship between smoking and the development of lung cancer.

Example of a developmental diagnostic research

– The study of the trend over time of a viral infection in a population. This survey periodically (daily, weekly or monthly) assesses the frequency of an infection in a given population.