DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH: CHARACTERISTICS, TECHNIQUES, TYPES, EXAMPLES - SCIENCE - 2025

The diagnostic investigation is a study method by which it is possible to know what happens in a specific situation. In other words, it is the analysis of a series of events with the aim of identifying the factors that promoted the appearance of a phenomenon.

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

Diagnostic research allows scientists to learn about diseases. Source: pixabay.com

One of the main characteristics of diagnostic research is that it analyzes how 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 subject of study) you have to analyze their behavior, diet, climatic factors and their relationship with other species.

The most relevant characteristics of a diagnostic investigation

Raise a problem

Like any investigative process, diagnostic investigation arises in response to a problem or situation that deserves a solution.

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

Once the diagnostic investigation is done, the result will determine if, in fact, the problem posed exists, what are the factors that intervene and to what extent there are affected actors, among other aspects.

Study the characteristics of a scenario

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

In order to study a situation in depth, it is necessary to identify all its characteristics, detail them and discover their implications. So, a fundamental part of a diagnostic investigation is to observe the study problem as a complex phenomenon.

Diagnostic research identifies the specific characteristics of both the situation under study and its entire context, classifies them according to their implications, and examines them in detail.

Identify the factors involved

When carrying out a diagnostic investigation, it is very important to recognize the main elements that have an impact on the problem.

Since diagnostic research seeks to study a situation and its context exhaustively, it is necessary to know all the factors that intervene in it.

Take into account subjects, contexts and actions

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

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

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

Diagnostic investigation 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.

The population and the sample

The population refers to the entity on which the study will be carried out. It can be made up of individuals, facts or elements of another nature. While the sample is a part of the population that is selected on behalf of all study subjects.

For example, to study one 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 investigation.

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

Way of expressing the data

The data make up the variables of the investigation, understanding as a variable a specific characteristic or property of the object that is studied. For example: the color of the birds or the weight of the birds. The variables are observed and accounted for in the investigation. Therefore, they are expressed qualitatively and / or quantitatively:

- Qualitative data: are those expressed by verbal symbols, avoiding quantification (that is, numbers). For example: the colors of the objects, the sex of the people, the socioeconomic level, among others.

- Quantitative data: they are expressed by numbers and originate from a calculation or measurement. For example: the ages of the people in an indigenous population, weight, height, height, among others.

Data collection techniques

The data collection techniques are the means used by the researcher to collect the information of their work, among them are:

- Observation: it is the visual record of a situation. In this technique, information is collected according to the types of data to be obtained. That is, a methodology is followed.

- The survey: in this technique, the information of the study subjects is supplied 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.

Diagnostic research can be carried out through interviews. Source: pixabay.com

Types of diagnostic investigation

- Comparative research

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

From a comparative investigation, 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 investigations

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

For example, if you want to make a diagnosis of the development of a certain plant, you can analyze how the different conditions of light, humidity and acidity of the soil interact with each other; all these elements are variables that are correlated with each other.

- Development research

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

For example: an investigation into the change in geographic location of a pod of dolphins over the course of a year.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantage

Through diagnostic research, a certain and proven knowledge is achieved that leads to a better understanding of reality. This is due to its methodology, which is 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 - because of its rigor - it is the type of research of choice in medical and epidemiological studies (that is, studies on epidemics and diseases).

Disadvantages

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

All these factors make the diagnostic investigation a procedure not very accessible to the general public, which represents its greatest weakness since 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 investigations:

- The analysis of the characteristics of a population (age, sex, symptoms) affected by a disease in a given region.

Analyzing the characteristics of the population can be an example of diagnostic research. Source: pixabay.com

- The description of the characteristics of a school population.

- The comparative study of the performance of mathematics students under virtual and face-to-face modalities (that is, digital classes compared to traditional face-to-face classes).

- The establishment of the relationship between smoking and the development of lung cancer.

Example of a developmental diagnostic investigation

- The study of the trend over time of a viral infection in a population. In this research, the frequency of an infection in a given population is evaluated periodically (daily, weekly or monthly).

Themes of interest

Basic investigation.

Field research.

Applied research.

Pure research.

Explanatory research.

Descriptive research.

Observational study.

References

1. Lijmer, J., Evers, J., Bossuyt, P (2003). Characteristics of Good Diagnostic Studies. Retrieved on February 14, 2020 from: researchgate.net
2. Coldit, G. (2002). Improving standards of medical and public health research. Retrieved on February 15, 2020 from: jech.bmj.com
3. Glasser, (2008). Research Methodology for Studies of Diagnostic Tests. Retrieved on February 15 from: researchgate.net
4. Oostenbrink, R., Moons, KG., Bleeker, S., Moll, H., Grobbe, D. (2003). Diagnostic research on routine care data: prospects and problems. Retrieved on February 14 from: nlm.nih.gov
5. Biesheuvel, C., Vergouwe, Y., Oudega, R., Hoes, A., Grobbee, D., Moons K. (2008). Advantages of the nested case-control design in diagnostic research. Retrieved on February 16 from: link.sp.ringer.com