ABSTRACT
In recognizing cases (screening), the research questions may arise in the following areas:
1. Documentation of natural history of various psychiatric disorders/ diseases
2. Definitions of abnormal conditions
1.1.2 DIAGNOSIS
In diagnosing the recognized patients, the research questions may arise in the following areas:
1. Documentation of disease processing and mechanism 2. Disease description 3. Making diagnosis 4. Predicting the prognosis of the diagnosed patients
1.1.3 TREATMENT
In treating the diagnosed patients, the research questions may arise in the following areas:
1. Documentation of medical/therapeutic history of various psychiatric diseases
2. Planning of clinical trials; evaluation of different levels of the treatment; and providing standard measures of accuracy of various clinical procedures
3. Promotion of adequate clinical facilities 4. Determining the outcome of the treated cases
1.1.4 PREVENTION
In preventing diseases/disorders, the research questions may arise in the following areas:
1. Assessing of the state of mental health in the community and indication of the basic factors underlying this state of mental health in the community
2. Finding out the risk/causal factors associated with various psychiatric diseases
3. Planning and monitoring of mental health programs for specific population groups and evaluation of the total program of action
4. Promotion of mental health legislation
1.2 RESEARCH APPROACHES
1.2.1 SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
Scientific approach is the application of logic and objectivity in order to understand the phenomenon. When two mental health workers adapt this approach, both will arrive at the same conclusion with the same data in recognizing cases, making diagnosis of the patient, deciding on the course and method of treatment, predicting the outcome of the treatment, and in determining the cause of a mental disorder to prevent them. This is because of the standard features and steps involved in the scientific method.
