As you review and consider public health research topics from the course readings and external reading resources, think about the building blocks of a good public health research study. What do you think are the two biggest challenges in selecting a research problem topic? What are at least three key words you would use to search for peer-reviewed, scholarly journal articles concerning your chosen topic (My topic is obesity).

ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTION AND THEN REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS or MORE) 

                                         CLASSMATE’S POST

I think there are multiple challenges in terms of selecting a research problem topic. I think two of the biggest challenges are: 1) developing a good topic, that has the ability to hold a researchers interest for a long period of time as well as has the opportunity to give off research that will truly make a difference in society and 2) Establishing a good research team of highly qualified individuals that are all on the same page and want to achieve great results. Other challenges that I found when researching this problem myself were, the challenge of not having access to the “experts” of the topic of choice in order to be able to “pick their brains” and ask questions in regards to research that they have already done (Walden University, 2010). Another big issue was choosing the proper methodology for the research study (Walden University, 2010). I think an obvious problem, but one that needs to be mentioned, recruiting good study participants who will take the study seriously and who will participate and contribute through the entirety of the study (Walden University, 2010). 

My topic from Unit 1 is the Opioid Epidemic in America. Some key words I used in order to find scholarly articles were: opioid, epidemic, overdose, oxycodone, methadone, narcan, addiction, and prevention.